How should you know if you have melanoma?

ABCD's: Remember your abcd's when thinking of melanoma. Look for moles with asymmetry boarders that are irregular color differences within the same mole diameter greater than 6mm also any new mole or old that starts to itch, bleed or ulcerate should be of concern. Another rule is the ugly duckling rule. Which refers to a mole that looks distantly different from the others on your body.

Skin cancer : Most skin cancers are the result of excessive sun exposure/tanning. Genetics play a strong role too. Any skin lesion that is changing size, color, shape or an area that does not heal is suspicious for skin cancer and should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

Pigment: Melanomas tend to have abnormal pigmentation with change in shape and thickness around the lesion. A biopsy will definitively help in diagnosis.

Use the ABCD's: A: asymmetry of shape b: border that is irregular c: uneven color, or multiple colors d: diameter > 6 mm e: enlarging have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon check any suspicious ones.

Melanoma: Have fair skin, blue or green eyes, or red or blond hair, live in sunny climates or at high altitudes, spent a lot of time in high levels of strong sunlight, because of a job or other activities, have had one or more blistering sunburns during childhood, use tanning devices. You are more likely to develop melanoma if the above applies to you.Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Melanoma: In addition to dr. Fisher's answer- prevention and early diagnosis and treatment are the keys. Protect yourself from sun exposure/uv- using sun block, long sleeve, hat etc. Early screening and regular follow up with dermatologist for early diagnosis and treatment. Wide resection with negative margin is the best treatment.If not caught/treated early, melanoma can spread anywhere in the body.

Malignant Melanoma: Aad malignant melanoma screening: asymmetry: 1 half is unlike the other. Border: irregular, scalloped or poorly defined. Color: varied with shades of tan, brown or black; or white, red or blue. Diameter: > 6 mm. Evolving: mole /skin lesion looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color. An irregular mole that itches, bleeds or is painful is worrisome for possible cancer.

ABCD's: Remember your abcd's when thinking of melanoma. Look for moles with asymmetry boarders that are irregular color differences within the same mole diameter greater than 6mm also any new mole or old that starts to itch, bleed or ulcerate should be of concern. Another rule is the ugly duckling rule. Which refers to a mole that looks distantly different from the others on your body.

Get checked!: Any suspicious lesion should be evaluated by a plastic surgeon or a dermatologist. A biopsy will give you a definitive answer regarding if it is a skin cancer, a pre-malignant lesion, or a benign lesion.

Melanoma: Melanomas are dark, have irregular borders, larger than a pencil eraser and can have several shades of brown.

Melanoma : Typically a biopsy establishes a diagnoses of a cancer. Melanoma treatment is based on thickness. It can be as simple as excision with a margin versus removal and a sentinel lymph node biopsy.

ABCDE: Always have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon examine any skin lesion which you have concerns about, is growing or changing. The following abcde rule of melanoma helps classify suspicious skin lesions. Asymmetry borders (irregular) color (variegated) diameter (greater than 6 mm (0.24 in), about the size of a pencil eraser) evolving over time.