Making skin cancer easier to spot.
A simple, evidence-based guide that helps everyone recognize the warning signs of common skin cancers—so they can seek care sooner.
ODD SPOT®
Learn the
7 Signs
of Skin Cancer
O
Odd-Looking
D
Dry/Scabby
P
Puffy/Painful
O
Open/Oozing
O
Odd-Looking
D
Dry/Scabby
P
Puffy/Painful
O
Open/Oozing
*Seven sign images used under license from DermNet and Waikato DHB.
ODD SPOT® Materials
Portable
Rack cards and posters provide take-home and in-office visibility, while digital assets extend education across websites, social platforms and in-office digital displays.
Visual
Color-coded images and plain-language cues make recognition simple—whether displayed on a poster, shared online, or handed to a patient.
Customizable
Add your clinic, hospital, or public health logo to licensed print and digital materials for cohesive, professional outreach.
Find a Dermatologist
Find a board-certified dermatologist near you for expert skin care and early detection.
What is ODD SPOT ® ?
ODD SPOT® is a simple, visual guide that helps people recognize possible signs of skin cancer: Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma – so they can notice changes early and get checked by a professional right away.
ODD SPOT® was created to make skin cancer education simple, inclusive, and evidence-based.
Worried about a spot?
Get it checked now
Our
Mission & Founder
About ODD SPOT™ Our mission is simple: reduce the burden of skin cancer through education, awareness, and action. ODD SPOT™ fills a critical gap by providing an evidence-based, patient-friendly tool that covers all major skin cancers, not just melanoma.
Dr. Karen Babcock Nern
Our Mission & Founder
Our mission is to make skin cancer easier to see and understand through clear, evidence-based education. ODD SPOT® bridges a critical gap with an evidence-based, easy-to-understand tool that helps people recognize all major skin cancers—not just melanoma.
Meet the Founder
Karen Babcock Nern, MD, MBA, FAAD
Dr. Nern is a double board-certified dermatologist and Mohs micrographic surgeon dedicated to prevention and early detection.
- Nonprofit Leadership: Co-founder and Medical Director of The Sun Bus, a mobile clinic providing free screenings, education, and research across 14 states since 2019.
- Clinical Excellence: Founder of a five-location dermatology practice in Colorado; named Doctor of the Year (2021) by Epiphany Dermatology.
Vision: Creator of ODD SPOT®, designed to make skin cancer education simple, evidence-based, and accessible to everyone.
A portion of ODD SPOT® proceeds supports skin cancer education charities, including The Sun Bus (https://thesunbus.org).
Seminars and Speaking
Engagements
Dr. Nern is a leading expert in dermatology and Mohs surgery, offering engaging seminars and keynote addresses on skin cancer prevention, early detection using the ODD SPOT™ mnemonic, and public health awareness. Her sessions are ideal for corporate wellness programs, medical conferences, and community organizations looking to educate their members on this critical health issue.
Our Scientific Team
We are proud to work with a distinguished team of physicians and scientists who contributed their expertise to the research and publication of the ODD SPOT® manuscript. By investigating and validating the evidence-based terminology used in the tool, this team has ensured that ODD SPOT® remains a scientifically sound resource for skin cancer education and awareness. Their dedication to clinical accuracy helps us provide a high-standard tool for early detection and public health.
