The 3 Places You’re Forgetting to Check for Skin Cancer

Submitted by Marc Scheiner, M.D.
Owner, Cecil Dermatology

Have you ever done a quick mirror check, looked at your chest, arms, and legs, and thought, “Looking good, no weird moles here”? It’s a great habit, but as surgical dermatologists, we frequently treat skin cancers in places that completely fly under our patients’ radar.

Skin cancer doesn’t just show up on a sun-drenched shoulder. It is a master of disguise, often hiding in plain sight. Here are three places you may be forgetting to check—and exactly what to look for.

1. Your Scalp (Even With a Full Head of Hair)

You might think your hair acts as a natural umbrella, but UV rays can still penetrate to the skin, especially along your part line or in areas where hair is starting to thin. Roughly 13% of all skin cancers develop on the scalp. Because this area has an incredibly rich blood supply and a dense network of lymph nodes, tumors here can be more aggressive if they aren’t caught early.

What to look for: A flesh-colored or pink bump that bleeds easily when you brush your hair, or a sore that just won’t heal.

How to check: Next time you use a blow-dryer, use the cool setting to part your hair in sections while looking in a mirror, or ask your hairstylist or partner to alert you if they spot an unusual scab or mole.

2. Your Ears (Front, Back, and Inside)

When we apply sunscreen to our face, we almost always stop right at the jawline. Because our ears stick out, they absorb significant amounts of cumulative UV radiation over a lifetime. Around 7% of head and neck melanomas are found on the ears, and squamous cell carcinoma is also common in this area. If left untreated, these cancers can slowly invade the underlying cartilage, making surgical removal more complex.

What to look for: A rough, scaly patch on the top rim of your ear that feels like sandpaper, or a firm, persistent pearly nodule behind the earlobe.

How to check: Use a hand mirror in front of your bathroom mirror to inspect the backs of your ears, and remember to protect your ears with sunscreen whenever you’ll be spending time outdoors.

3. The Soles of Your Feet

This is the one that shocks patients the most. You might think, “My feet never see the sun, so how can they get skin cancer?” A rare but aggressive form of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma specifically targets the palms, soles of the feet, and areas under the nails. It is unrelated to sun exposure and is the most common form of melanoma found in Black, Hispanic, and Asian individuals.

What to look for: A new brown, black, or blue-gray spot on the bottom of your foot that looks like an ink stain, or a bruise that doesn’t heal or grow out.

How to check: Sit down once a month and take a close look at your feet. Check between your toes and inspect the soles carefully.