Give the Gift that Matters
Here's something couples can do on Valentine's
Day. It's a terrific reason to take off
all your clothes together. And it shouldn't take longer than ten minutes.
We mean a skin self-exam, of course. It may not be the most romantic thing you'll do on Valentine's day, but it might be the most meaningful. A new study shows that couples who examine one another's skin for signs of skin cancer do so with more care and attention than people who examine their own skin alone.
The researchers trained both individuals and couples to practice skin self-examination. The couples not only did the exams more often, but felt more confident in their ability to check their skin accurately. More couples than individuals indicated that they would continue to check their skin in the future, reducing their long-term odds of developing skin cancer, and assuring that any that do develop will be caught at an earlier stage.
Head-to-toe skin examinations should be done once a month, and while it is possible to do it yourself, certain areas of the body, such as the back and the scalp can be difficult to examine without the aid of an extra pair of eyes.
Early detection is one of the greatest weapons a person can have against skin cancer. Even melanoma, the deadliest of the skin cancers, is usually completely curable if it is found in its earliest stages. While monthly self-exams shouldn't replace the important annual skin exam performed by a physician, it offers the best chance of detecting the early warning signs of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. If you notice any change in an existing mole or discover a new one that looks suspicious, see a physician immediately. Flowers wilt and chocolates run out, but living free of skin cancer is a gift that never stops giving.
