Skin Cancer Screening for Couples

Looking for a romantic gift? Try giving a skin cancer screening. The American Academy of Dermatology has an idea: “Screen the One You Love.” That’s right, take your special someone and help him do a full body, skin cancer screen. Not only could this help him catch skin cancer earlier, it will assure you that your partner will have some intimacy as well (forget sex, what could be more intimate than sharing all the locations and status of all the moles on your body?).

Doing a skin cancer screening with your partner makes excellent sense. Not only is it sometimes difficult to check moles on certain parts of your body, but is is also hard to remember what the moles looked like a while back. See, a big part of skin cancer screening is to look for changes in mole shape and size. Who better to help you than a partner who, likely, knows many parts of your body intimately and may be able to catch changes that you would have missed.

Some research even backs this. In a study, researchers found that couples who checked for moles together were much more likely to maintain a routine schedule of mole checking than the solo skin cancer screenings.

Does Skin Cancer Screening Lead To Romance?

That depends on you. If you conduct the skin cancer screening in a more romantic way, then I could see this developing into a kind of romance. Touching is always intimate, and what better reward for keeping on schedule with your health screenings than a little post-screening romance? Try not to make the screening too clinical and avoid commentary and discussion on moles.

How To Screen for Skin Cancer

It’s pretty simple: You are looking for basically looking for moles and other unusual “growths” on the skin. There is even a website to help you map your moles. Here are a few criteria that can be used to spot suspicious moles:

• A is for Asymmetry: Moles should be symmetric (look the same on both sides). You should be able to draw an imaginary line down the middle and each side should be a mirror image.
• B is for Border: Moles should have clear and defined borders –- no fuzzy, blotchy or irregular edges.
• C is for Color: Moles should be one color and stay that color. Any mixing or change of color is suspicious.
• D is for Difference: Check your moles monthly for any changes. All the moles on your body should be in the same “style.”

If you find something suspicious, make an appointment for a skin screening with a dermatologist. These screenings are often free. Find a dermatologist and call right away. There is a good chance your suspicious mole is nothing, but you definitely want to have it checked out. (Alone? try this skin cancer self screening guide).

Looking for 'More Romantic' Health Screenings?

Consider a couples breast cancer or testicular exam. Both of these screenings could involve subtle touching and romance that may catch a lump early and lead to a greater chance of successful treatment. Learn how to do the breast exam and/or the testicular exams either on yourself or your partner.

_Source:

Robinson JK, Turrisi R, Stapleton J. Examination of mediating variables in a partner assistance intervention designed to increase performance of skin self-examination. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Mar;56(3):391-7. Epub 2006 Dec 4.