The “ABCD” rule and Melanoma Danger Signs
Finding melanoma early is the key to curing this vicious cancer. Learn the ABCD mnemonic for recognizing moles and growths that might be cancerous. Though most (if not all) of your “suspicious” moles will turn out to be normal non-cancerous moles, it is much better to be safe than to not see, or ignore, an early >melanoma. Be sure to review how to do a monthly skin examination to properly look for abnormal growths.
If your mole or growth has one or more of the ABCDEs, you should show it to your physician as soon as possible!

Asymmetry
Asymmetry can be assessed by comparing one half of the growth to the other half to determine if the halves are equal in size. Unequal or asymmetric moles are suspicious.

Symmetric (normal)	Asymmetric

Border
If the mole’s border is irregular, notched, scalloped, or indistinct, it is more likely to be cancerous (or precancerous) and is thus suspicious.

Regular Border (normal)	Irregular Border

Color
Variation of color (e.g., more than one color or shade) within a mole is a suspicious finding. Different shades of browns, blues, reds, whites, and blacks are all concerning.

One Color (normal)	Color Variance

Diameter
Any mole that has a diameter larger than a pencil’s eraser in size (> 6 mm) should be considered suspicious.

Elevation
If a mole is elevated, or raised from of the skin, it should be considered suspicious.

Other Danger Signs of Malignant Melanoma
• Change in color, especially multiple shades of dark brown or black; red, white and blue,
• Change or spreading of color from the edge of the mole into surrounding skin.
• Change in size, especially sudden or continuous enlargement.
• Change in shape, especially development of irregular margins or border.
• Change in elevation, especially sudden elevation of a previously flat mole.
• Change in the surface texture of a mole, especially scaliness, erosion, oozing, crusting, ulceration, or bleeding.
• Change in the the surrounding skin, especially redness, swelling, or new moles.
• Change in sensation, especially itching, tenderness, or pain.

Basically, any mole or growth that is CHANGING needs to be checked by a doctor.

Examples

	This mole is Asymmetric and has an irregular Border. The middle part is Elevated off of the skin. It also has a Diameter larger than 6 mm.
	This mole certainly is Asymmetric has an irregular Border. It has a larger Diameter than a pencil’s eraser. It has more than one shade of Color.
	This growth has more than one Color and is thus suspicious. In addition, it is also Asymmetric and has an irregular Border.
	As you can see from the ruler, this mole’s Diameter is much larger than 6 mm (it measures 19 mm, or 1.9 cm in one direction, and probably is even larger if measured vertically). In addition, this mole is also Asymmetric and has a Border that is irregular. (Note, the presence or absence of hair in a mole is neither suspicious nor reassuring for cancer.)
	This mole is obviously Elevated off of the skin. It’s diameter is also larger than a pencil’s eraser (6 mm).
	This mole is not elevated, it is symmetrical, of uniform color and has an essentially smooth border. It is smaller than 6 mm. It has none of the warning signs of melanoma, and is the only mole pictured that is “normal”.