You’d pretty much have to be in hibernation to have missed the public health messages on the importance of skin cancer screening, especially if you live in a sunny state. Now women have one more screening to add for skin cancer prevention: HPV. Human papillomavirus (HPV)—the virus that causes genital warts and, in high-risk forms, cervical cancer—has been linked to some forms of a common skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, according to researchers at Dartmouth Medical School. HPV infection is a growing epidemic in the U.S. and the leading sexually transmitted infection.

This research is the first to link HPV types that cause squamous cell cervical cancer (such as HPV 16 and HPV 18) to HPV skin types HPV 5 and HPV 8 and to skin cancer. “We found a virus that may be a risk factor for skin cancer,” said lead investigator Dr. Margaret Karagas, of Dartmouth. “Although sun exposure and sensitivity to sun are still the main culprits in skin cancer, our findings suggest skin types of HPV also may play a role in the development of squamous cell carcinomas.” So screening for cancer on your skin is more important than ever before, especially if a health care provider has told you that you have HPV.

Skin cancer is the fastest growing cause of cancer death in the U.S., yet it is 95% curable when it’s caught early—and the key to this is regular self-skin-examination. To properly examine your skin, you’ll need a full-length mirror and a hand mirror. Skin cancer can occur anywhere, not just on your exposed areas. A hand mirror will help you see parts of your skin you most likely ignore such as your scalp, underarms, palms, soles, the skin between your fingers and toes, and your genitalia.

Make a list of common skin marks, such as where you have birthmarks, blemishes, moles, and any unusual pigmentation or spots. Having this “baseline” is important because you’re going to be looking for changes over time. Signs of potentially cancerous problems include sores that don’t fully heal, a brown or black streak under your nails, a cluster of slow-growing pinkish or red lesions, a waxy feeling scar, a mole that has uneven edges and blotchy or spotty coloring, and a mole that changes its shape over time. Make a note of anything that is suspect and see your dermatologist immediately—skin cancer is almost always curable when caught early, but it can be deadly if left to spread. Early treatment may minimize surgical scarring and ultimately save your life.