The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer

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   Knowing what to look for is important when you have a mole or growth that you didn’t notice having before or if a mole or skin growth has changed. It is probably just normal changes in the mole over time, but if it has any sign that it might be a type of skin cancer, you should tell your parents/guardians and go to the doctor to have it checked. Early diagnosis (finding out what it is) and early treatment greatly increases your chances for a good outcome.

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   The American Academy of Dermatology (the study of skin) recommends evaluating any mole or growth based on the ABCDEs of skin cancer. This is a good way to remember what to look for when you have a skin growth or a change in a skin growth.

 

Read on to find out about the ABCDE’s of skin cancer.

 

A—Asymmetry—when one half of the growth is

not like the other half.

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Image Content Provider: CDC/ Carl Washington, M.D., Emory Univ. School

of Medicine; Mona Saraiya, MD, MPH

 

 

 

                                        B—Border—The border of the growth is                                                      irregular or poorly defined.

                                         Image Content Provider: CDC/ Carl Washington, M.D., Emory Univ.                                                                   School of Medicine; Mona Saraiya, MD, MPH

 

 

C-Color—The color is varied from one area in the

growth to another area. Color may be shades of

tan, brown, or black or may be white, red, or blue.

Image Content Provider: CDC/ Carl Washington, M.D., Emory Univ. School

of Medicine; Mona Saraiya, MD, MPH

 

 

                                      D-Diameter—The diameter is usually more than                                        6 mm (the size of a pencil eraser), but may be                                            smaller.

                                      Image: Content Provider: CDC/ Carl Washington, M.D., Emory Univ.                                                                   School of Medicine; Mona Saraiya, MD, MPH

 

 

E—Evolving—An evolving growth is one that changes in any way or may just look different than other moles you

might have.

 

   A melanoma (skin cancer) can have more

than  one of the ABCDE indicators. The

melanoma on the right is asymmetrical (one

half is not like the other), has an irregular border, and varied colors throughout.

Image: National Cancer Institute

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