How many times a day do you use the bathroom? Have you always had that mole on the back of your leg? How many hours a night do you sleep?

Knowing the answers to questions like these could help you recognize any changes and explain them to your healthcare team. You're the expert on your own body.

Here are some areas to pay attention to, so you know what's typical for you. But you don't have to keep a spreadsheet or schedule monthly checks. Having a general idea of your baseline is enough.

• Sleep. How many hours of sleep do you get? Do you wake up at night? Do you feel rested after sleep? Do you have a consistent bedtime routine?
• Weight. What's your usual weight range? How do your pants fit?
• Appetite. How often do you eat? On a scale of 1 to 10, how hungry are you before a meal? How does your stomach feel after eating?
• Bathroom habits. How often do you go, and what do your stools usually look like?
• Skin. Do you have any rough spots, lumps or bumps? Do you have any moles that itch, bleed or have a change in color?
• Throat. Do you frequently cough or have a hoarse voice?
• Pain. Do you have headaches or any tender spots?

Once you know your body, pay attention to anything new, unusual or that doesn't go away. Changes don't necessarily mean you have cancer or another serious condition, but your healthcare team can help find the cause.

Here are a few more areas to pay attention to.

Breasts

Feel your breasts, chest and armpit area, so you know what the skin feels like and are aware of any lumps.

If you menstruate, notice how your breasts change through the month. You might feel lumps or tenderness around your period. If you do notice a lump, feel the spot again a week later. Lumps or pain that come and go with your period are generally not concerning.

If you notice these changes, let your healthcare team know:

• A new lump or thickness in the breast, chest or armpit area.
• A change in the shape or feel of your breast.
• Fluid coming from the nipple, if you aren't pregnant or breastfeeding.
• A change in the nipple, like it points a different direction or turns inward.
• A rash, puckering or change in color on the skin of the breast.

Testicles

If you have testicles, notice how they look and feel. It's helpful to be aware of their usual size and weight. If you notice any changes, like swelling, new lumps or a heavy feeling, let your healthcare team know.

Skin

Signs of skin cancer most commonly occur in places that get sun, like your face, head, neck and arms. But skin cancer can occur anywhere. A hand mirror can help you check your back.

Check for:

• Moles with irregular shapes and colors, especially if they have irregular borders.
• New, growing or changing spots on the skin.
• Sores that bleed or don't heal for several weeks.
• Rough or scaly patches, especially if they bleed or appear crusty.

Mouth

Especially if you use tobacco or alcohol products, it's important to know what's normal in your mouth. See your healthcare team if you notice any changes like:

• White patches on the tongue or inside the cheek areas.
• Sores that don't seem to heal.
• Lumps.
• Sore throat.
• Voice changes.
• Trouble chewing or swallowing.

When you talk to your healthcare team

Tell your healthcare team about significant changes like sudden weight loss, a tired feeling that doesn't go away after sleep, and new pain after eating or when using the bathroom.

If you can, make some notes about the changes. Your healthcare team might ask when you noticed the changes and how quickly they progressed. You also can note any lifestyle or personal changes that might have contributed, from a diet change or a new job to the death of a loved one.

Remember: Self-checks don't replace healthcare. It's still important to get regular screenings for cancer, like colonoscopies or mammograms, even if you don't have any symptoms.