MOLE
WARNING SIGNS (THE ABC'S)
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.
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Symmetric
(normal)
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Asymmetric
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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.
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Regular
Border
(normal)
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Irregular
Border
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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.
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One
Color (normal)
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Color
Variance
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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,
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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.
Click
here to check out some examples...
