Check Your Moles: May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Check Your Moles

Skin cancer can be deadly if not caught early!  More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually.  Make sure you know the ABCDE's of Melanoma, one of the most common forms of skin cancer.   A- Asymmetry: If you draw a line through this mole, the two halves will not match each other.  B- Border: The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven. The edges may be scalloped or notched.  C- Color: Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan, or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color. D- Diameter: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil (1/4 inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.  E- Evolving: Any change-in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or crusting-points to danger. If your moles display any of these signs, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist who can provide you with more information and next steps.     For these tips and more, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation's website.