Skin moles are common. Almost everyone has a few, and some people develop hundreds. And melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, can develop in or near moles.
Don’t get frightened — most skin moles are not melanoma. So how do you know when to see a dermatologist for your moles? It’s easy; just keep in mind your ABCs.
A stands for ASYMMETRY: If one half of the mole is unlike the other half, have it looked at.
B stands for BORDER: If your mole has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border, it could be an early melanoma. Only a biopsy can provide conclusive results.
C stands for COLOR: If a mole’s color varies from one area to another, or if it turns shades of tan, brown and black (opposed to brown, which is normal), call your dermatologist.
D stands for DIAMETER: Melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, but they can be smaller. If a mole is large, have it examined and stay very aware of changes or growth.
E stands for EVOLVING: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color could be a sign of early skin cancer.
If you have a mole that shows any of these signs, be sure to schedule an appointment with a Water’s Edge Dermatology provider today. If something doesn’t seem right, or keeps grabbing your attention, come see us.