Safeguarding Your Skin

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer, but early recognition can improve treatment options and outcomes. The ABCDE guide offers a simple way to monitor moles and spots for changes that deserve professional evaluation.

A — Asymmetry

One half of a mole or spot does not match the other half in shape, size, or appearance.

B — Border Irregularity

The edges may appear uneven, scalloped, blurred, jagged, or poorly defined rather than smooth.

C — Color Variation

A concerning lesion may contain multiple colors or shades, including tan, brown, black, red, white, or blue.

D — Diameter

Moles larger than about six millimeters—the approximate size of a pencil eraser—deserve attention, although melanomas can also be smaller.

E — Evolution

Any change in a mole’s size, shape, color, elevation, texture, or symptoms such as itching or bleeding should be evaluated.

Why Early Detection Matters

Perform monthly skin self-checks and note any new or changing areas. Self-exams do not replace professional total-body skin exams. If a spot looks different from your other moles or continues to evolve, schedule an appointment with a dermatology provider.