How to Identify Skin Melanoma

There are three forms of skin cancer, and skin melanoma is the most dangerous. If you do not detect and treat this cancer early enough, it can quickly become fatal. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 34,000 people develop malignant melanoma annually, and of these, over 7,200 die. Statistically, one out of every one hundred Americans will develop this form of skin cancer. Below are some visual signs to be aware of in order to treat any problems early

Instructions

1. Consider your risk for skin cancer. If you are fair-skinned and have spent a great deal of time in the sun, your risk for this disease is greater. This does not mean that other people should not be concerned. For example, individuals who have a larger number of moles or uniquely shaped or appearing moles are also at greater risk. In fact, everyone should be alert to mole changes.

2. Look at your skin, nails, eyes, mouth and genitals that have or even have not been exposed to the sun. Some places are more common than others for skin melanoma, such as men's backs and women's legs. Although melanoma is normally in shades of black or brown, it can appear as red, white or the color of your skin. Sometimes, it develops from a mole that already exists. However, it can appear on new areas of the skin. Since melanoma grows slowly; you should be leery about any changes to your skin over time.

3. 

   Apply the "ABCD" process to check for possible melanoma. "A" stands for asymmetric moles, or when the two halves of a mole are not symmetrical. They appear different from one another because of color or shape.

4. 

   Beware of moles with the letter "B," which stands for border, or when the rim around the mole is ragged or blurred.

5. 

   Be careful of "C" changes, or when the mole begins to change color.

6. 

   Do not ignore your skin when a mole begins to grow and change in "D" or diameter.

Tips & Warnings

• Never second guess. If you are not sure about a mole, see your skin doctor immediately.

Resources

• American Academy of Dermatology