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FEBRUARY 2022
Exposing skin cancer
What’s the #1 cancer diagnosis among Costco employees and their family members? Skin cancer.1 Roughly one in five Americans will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives,2 and it can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. The good news is that skin cancer is treatable and, in most cases, preventable. Avoid sun exposure, stay away from tanning beds, wear sunscreen and learn to do a skin self-exam to spot signs of cancer early.
Doctors recommend doing a skin cancer self-exam about once a month. The best time is right after your shower or bath. If you see something new, changing or unusual, get checked by a dermatologist right away. It could be skin cancer.
1Skin cancer diagnosis January 2021–June 2021 among employees and their family members covered by a Costco medical plan through Aetna®.
2Skin Cancer Foundation. Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics.
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How to perform a skin self-exam
Examine your body in a full-length mirror.
Examine your body (front and back) in the mirror, then look at the right and left sides with your arms raised.
Look at your underarms, forearms and palms.
Bend elbows and look carefully at underarms, forearms and palms.
Look at your legs, between toes and the soles of your feet.
Look at the backs of your legs and feet, the spaces between your toes, and the soles of your feet.
Use a hand mirror to examine your neck and scalp.
Examine the back of your neck and scalp with a hand mirror. Part hair for a closer look.
Use a hand mirror to check your back and buttocks.
Finally, check your back and buttocks with a hand mirror.
Source: American Academy of Dermatology Association. Detect skin cancer: how to perform a skin cancer self-exam.
Resources for you
- Found an unusual growth you’d like a dermatologist to check out? Visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Provider” under What If I to connect with an in-network provider. You can also download the Aetna HealthSM app or call your Aetna Health Concierge at 800-814-3543 (TTY: 711)
- Download the 98point6® app for text-based access to a board-certified physician who can answer your health-related questions, diagnose and treat urgent issues. To learn more about 98point6, visit Costcobenefits.com.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer — or another serious cancer or disease — and are considering treatment options, get an expert second opinion from 2nd.MD.* This team of health care professionals can make sure you’re on the right path with your care. They’ll coordinate all the details for you, so you can stay focused on getting well. To learn more about 2nd.MD, call 833-579-2509 or visit Costcobenefits.com.
*2nd.MD is offered at no cost to all employees and their covered dependents enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
- Found an unusual growth you’d like an in-network dermatologist to check out? Visit Costcobenefits.com and select Triple-S under Helpful Links, or call 800-981-3241 to get started.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer — or another serious cancer or disease — and are considering treatment options, get an expert second opinion from 2nd.MD.* This team of health care professionals can make sure you’re on the right path with your care. They’ll coordinate all the details for you, so you can stay focused on getting well. To learn more about 2nd.MD, call 833-579-2509 or visit Costcobenefits.com.
*2nd.MD is offered at no cost to all employees and their covered dependents enrolled in a Costco medical plan.
- Found an unusual growth you’d like an in-network dermatologist to check out? Visit Costcobenefits.com and select HMSA under Helpful Links, or call 800-776-4672 to get started.
- Download the 98point6® app for text-based access to a board-certified physician who can answer your health-related questions, diagnose and treat urgent issues. To learn more about 98point6, visit Costcobenefits.com.
- If you’ve been diagnosed with skin cancer — or another serious cancer or disease — and are considering treatment options, get an expert second opinion from 2nd.MD.* This team of health care professionals can make sure you’re on the right path with your care. They’ll coordinate all the details for you, so you can stay focused on getting well. To learn more about 2nd.MD, call 833-579-2509 or visit Costcobenefits.com.
*2nd.MD is offered at no cost to all employees and their covered dependents enrolled in a Costco medical plan.