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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
A step-by-step guide to performing your own head-to-toe skin scan and why early detection is your greatest superpower.
How to evaluate spots and moles with clinical precision, including how to identify the "ugly duckling" that stands out from the rest.
Science-backed tips for supporting your skin from the inside out, including the best clean sunscreens and supplements for resilience.
Hey Everyone!
I am so excited to be in your inbox today. You know, we were absolutely blown away by the response to our breast exam newsletter a few months ago. It was one of our most popular resources ever, and seeing so many of you take that actionable step toward advocacy in your own health really touched my heart.
In case you missed it
It’s that exact spirit of proactive care that inspired me to put together this next guide. Today, we are talking about your skin, our body's largest organ and often the first place our internal health shows up for the world to see.
The statistics can feel heavy, but remember: knowledge is power. About 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. But here is the beautiful part, when we catch it early, the five-year survival rate for melanoma is a staggering 99%.
We are doing this because you are the real deal, and nobody knows your body better than you do.
The Daily Immune Ritual I Trust All Winter Long
Winter is when I’m most intentional about supporting my immune system, and Pique’s Daily Immune has become one of my non-negotiables. It’s the kind of daily ritual that feels supportive, not overwhelming and one I actually look forward to.
What sets Daily Immune apart is its liposomal vitamin C, which helps deliver nutrients more effectively to your bloodstream and immune cells, where they can truly do their job. I notice the difference in how steady and resilient I feel, especially during colder months when my body needs extra support. The addition of elderberry gives it that extra layer of seasonal immune defense I trust.
Daily Immune supports my everyday immunity, collagen production, skin resilience, and antioxidant protection all in one simple step. I love that it fits seamlessly into my routine and tastes bright and refreshing.
Winter wellness doesn’t need to be extreme to be effective. For me, Daily Immune is an easy, consistent way to feel supported, strong, and cared for all season long
Your Guide to the Monthly Skin Check
I want you to treat this as a monthly ritual of self-love. Experts recommend doing this once every month, ideally right after a shower when your skin is clean and you’re already in a space of care.
Setting the Stage
You don’t need much, but having the right tools makes you your own best advocate. You’ll need a well-lit room, natural light is best, a full-length mirror, and a hand-held mirror to see those tricky spots like your back and the back of your thighs.
Grab a blow dryer or a comb to help you check your scalp, and a small ruler or even a coin to use as a reference if you need to take a photo of something new.
The Head-to-Toe Scan
Don't rush. Follow this anatomical path so nothing is missed.
Face and Head: Start with your face, specifically your nose, lips, and mouth. Use your hand mirror to check the front and back of your ears.
The Scalp: This is where that blow dryer comes in! Use it to part your hair in sections so you can see the skin clearly. If you have a friend or partner nearby, ask them to help. This is a great way for our caregivers to support us!.
Hands and Arms: Look at your palms and the backs of your hands. Check between your fingers and look closely at your nail beds, make sure your polish is off. Scan your forearms and upper arms, and don't forget to lift your arms high to check your underarms.
Torso and Back: Standing in front of the mirror, check your chest and belly. For women, make sure to lift your breasts to check the skin underneath. Then, turn around and use your hand mirror to scan your neck, shoulders, and your entire back and buttocks.
Legs and Feet: Sit down to check the front and sides of your thighs and shins. Use the hand mirror for the backs of your calves. Finally, check your feet—look at the soles, the heels, and very importantly, the spaces between every single toe.
The ABCDE Evaluation
When you find a mole or spot, run it through this clinical checklist.
Asymmetry: If you drew a line through the middle, would the two halves match? Malignant spots are often uneven.
Border: Look for edges that are notched, scalloped, or blurry.
Color: Does it have multiple shades of brown, black, tan, or even red and blue?.
Diameter: Is it larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)?.
Evolving: This is the most important one. Is it changing in size, shape, or color? Is it starting to itch, crust, or bleed?.
Also, keep an eye out for the ugly duckling, that one spot that just looks, feels, or acts differently than all the other moles on your body.
Nourishing Your Dermis
While we advocate through exams, we also nourish from within. Diets rich in antioxidants, like the Mediterranean model, help our cells stay resilient.
Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3): Research shows that 500mg twice daily can significantly reduce the risk of new squamous cell carcinomas in high-risk individuals.
Omega-3s: Found in fatty fish and walnuts, these help inhibit UV-induced inflammation.
Clean Sunscreen: Use the EWG standards! Avoid oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A). Stick to mineral barriers like Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide, which are safe and effective.
Remember, for those of us who have walked the path of chemo or radiation, our skin is extra sensitive right now. Be gentle, stay hydrated, and keep using those physical barriers like UPF clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
You are doing amazing things, and I am so honored to be on this journey with you. Let’s keep looking out for one another!
With heart,
Carli
Founder of The Cancer Crew
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