If you’re at risk for skin cancer, you should perform regular skin exams and see a dermatologist if you find a suspicious lesion. During your visit, your dermatologist may use a common skin cancer diagnosis guide called the ABCDE method.
- Asymmetry - moles with an uneven or irregular shape
- Border irregularity - moles with borders that are uneven, notched or scalloped
- Changes in color - moles with different colors or unevenly distributed color
- Diameter - moles greater than or equal to 1/4 inch (6 millimeters) in diameter
- Evolving - moles that change over time, in size, color, shape and development of symptoms like itchiness, oozing or bleeding
The bottom line is this: If you have an ugly mole, visit your dermatologist.
When melanoma skin cancer is caught early, it is often curable. If not, the disease can be deadly. Although it is rare, even squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common form of skin cancer) can become fatal if left untreated and the cancer spreads.
It is particularly important to educate young people about the dangers of skin cancer, so they develop habits now that minimize their long-term risk. To help this process, please share this post or the following video with people you know.
