Ways to Check Your Scalp for Skin Cancer

Pity the poor scalp. Often ignored when preparing to go out in the sun and not easy to check for skin cancer.

But here are some things to look for.

“Skin cancer on the scalp can appear as a red, bleeding, dark or rough spot,” explained Michael Dannenberg, MD, chief of dermatology at Huntington Hospital. “I get a lot of referrals about people’s scalps from barbers and hair stylists because they are able to go through and really check someone’s scalp. A dermatologist does that when providing a full-body skin examination.”

Every year in the United States, about five million people are treated for skin cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. The group also estimates that one in five people will get skin cancer in their life.

Dr. Dannenberg suggests that people wear cloth hats and put sunscreen on the part in their hair to help prevent skin cancer on the scalp.

“With fashion, style seems to follow need, so now wide-brimmed hats are coming back into style,” Dr. Dannenberg said. “Hats with a minimum of a three and a half inch brim are very helpful for protecting not only your scalp from the sun, but also providing protection to the ears, nose, lips, cheeks and neck. Make a hat part of your style.”

For more information about sunscreen, click here.

Photo Credit: Axel Bueckert