If this mole is an early skin cancer, how do i tell if it's a melanoma or a basal cell carcinoma?

Moles & skin cancer: Any pigmented mole that is asymmetric, has irregular or jagged borders, has multiple colors, is larger than 6 mm or a pencil eraser, and/or is changing in any way (getting bigger, getting taller, itching, bleeding, etc.) should be evaluated for skin cancer. To definitively tell if a mole is cancerous, a biopsy needs to be performed to examine the mole under a microscope and check for cancer.

Easy as ABCDE: The abcd's can tell if you have a lesion concerning for melanoma: a-asymmetry. B-irregular border, c-different colors within the mole, d-diameter >6mm, e-the mole is evolving in any way. If you have any concerns, see your dermatologist sooner rather than later. Melanoma can be life threatening. Basal cell cancers need to be removed, but are almost always treatable if addressed promptly.

Get a Derm Consult: Melanoma typically is pigmented and has a dark color. Basal cell cancer may have a pearly appearance to it. However, you should not take a chance trying to diagnosis this yourself. Melanoma is a deadly disease and early detection can lead to a cure. Delayed detection can be fatal.