Check for skin cancer once a month with a skin self exam

Skin cancer is easiest to cure when it's caught early, so dermatologists recommend you do a skin self-exam once a month .

A good time to do this is right out of the shower before you get dressed.

You're going to need a mirror with plenty of bright light and you want to look everywhere in a methodical fashion from head to toe even between your toes.

Start with the scalp and don't forget your back and behind your ears.

To help keep track of moles or other lesions use a body map -- you can print one right from the internet. It's important to note their approximate size, color and always write down the date. This way when you check again next month, you'll know if there's any change.

Finally you'll have to check your private parts. Skin cancer can happen anywhere on the skin. Not only in sun exposed areas.

When you do a skin exam you have to know what you're looking for. Skin cancer can start as a dark spot or mole but it could also be a scaly patch or a change in an existing mole. When checking a mole remember your ABC's. But in this case, think ABC-DE.

A and B stand for asymmetry and borders. A mole that is asymmetrical or has irregular borders is suspicious. C stands for color. A multicolored mole could also be cancer. D is diameter. If it's larger than a quarter inch its suspicious. Finally, E is for elevated. If a mole is elevated or raised it might also be cancer.

Remember, a spot or sore that doesn't stop itching, hurting, crusting, scabbing, eroding or bleeding or even an open sore that doesn't heal within three weeks should be evaluated by a dermatologist.