7 Spots on Your Body Where Skin Cancer Often Hides — And Why You Should Check Them

Person checking their skin for unusual moles using a hand mirror

Most people check their arms, legs, and face for unusual moles — but skin cancer, including melanoma, frequently develops in places that are easy to overlook or hard to see on your own. Dermatologists consistently point to the same handful of "hiding spots" that get missed during self-checks. Here are seven of them, and what to actually look for.

Why These Spots Get Missed

Skin cancer isn't limited to sun-exposed areas — it can develop anywhere, including places that rarely see sunlight. A rare but serious type called acral lentiginous melanoma specifically tends to appear on the palms, soles, and under the nails, and it's the most common form of melanoma in people with darker skin tones. That's part of why dermatologists recommend a genuine head-to-toe check, not just a glance at the obviously sun-exposed areas.

7 Commonly Missed Spots

1. The Scalp
Hair makes the scalp one of the hardest areas to self-examine, but melanoma can and does develop there. Ask a partner, hairdresser, or dermatologist to take a look during a haircut or appointment.

2. Behind the Ears
This area gets real sun exposure but is almost always skipped during sunscreen application and self-checks. Make it a habit to include it in your routine.

3. The Soles of Your Feet
Not an area anyone associates with sun damage, but it's one of the most common sites for acral lentiginous melanoma. Reggae legend Bob Marley died from this type of melanoma, which started under his toenail — a reminder that it can affect anyone, though it's more common in people with darker skin.

4. The Palms of Your Hands
Like the soles, the palms are a known site for this less-common but serious melanoma type. Check them monthly along with the rest of your hands.

5. Under the Fingernails and Toenails
A dark streak or discoloration under a nail that wasn't caused by an injury is worth having checked — this is one of the more distinctive warning signs of acral lentiginous melanoma.

6. The Buttocks and Genital Area
Often called "double-covered" areas (covered by both clothing and underwear), these spots are easy to forget during self-exams simply because they're rarely looked at.

7. Between the Toes and the Back
Both are difficult to see without a mirror or a second pair of eyes, and the back in particular is one of the most common sites for melanoma overall, especially in men.

What to Actually Look For: The ABCDE Rule

When checking any mole, dermatologists use these five warning signs:

  • A – Asymmetry: One half looks different from the other half
  • B – Border: Edges are blurry, notched, or irregular
  • C – Color: Uneven color, or multiple shades of brown, black, or tan within one mole
  • D – Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
  • E – Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or texture over time

Dermatologists also describe watching for an "ugly duckling" mole — one that looks noticeably different from all your other moles, even if it doesn't clearly meet the ABCDE criteria.

How to Check Yourself

  • Do a full-body check monthly, working head to toe so you don't skip areas
  • Use a hand mirror or ask someone to help with hard-to-see spots like your back and scalp
  • Take photos of your moles over time so you can compare and notice changes more easily
  • See a dermatologist annually for a professional full-body skin exam, especially if you have many moles, fair skin, or a family history of skin cancer

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment if you notice a mole that's changing, a sore that won't heal or keeps coming back, a new dark streak under a nail without injury, or any spot that just looks different from everything else on your skin. Early detection is one of the biggest factors in successful skin cancer treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can skin cancer really develop somewhere that's never been in the sun?
Yes. Areas like the soles of the feet, palms, and under the nails can develop melanoma despite having little to no sun exposure.

How often should I check my own skin?
Most dermatologists recommend a self-check about once a month, plus a professional skin exam once a year.

Is a dark spot under my nail always serious?
Not always — it can result from an injury. But a dark streak with no known cause should be checked by a dermatologist, since it's a recognized warning sign for a specific type of melanoma.

Who is most at risk for melanoma in these hidden spots?
Acral lentiginous melanoma is more common in people with darker skin tones, though it can occur in anyone. Everyone benefits from checking these often-missed areas regardless of skin tone.

AUTHORITATIVE SOURCES

  • City of Hope Cancer Center — "7 Skin Cancer Hiding Spots You May Not Think to Check"
  • Cancer Treatment Centers of America — "5 Places Skin Cancer and Moles May Hide"
  • Skin Cancer Foundation — "Melanoma Warning Signs and Images"
  • MD Anderson Cancer Center — "Skin Cancer Screening"

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