Warmer weather is just around the corner, and so should our vigilance for sun protection and skin cancer. There are several types of skin cancers, but malignant melanoma is the most fatal form of them all as it can invade through the skin and spread throughout the body. Fortunately though, early detection results in a high cure rate (about 90%), which is why we will go over the ABCDEs of melanomas.

These tips can help you distinguish between benign (i.e. non-cancerous) and malignant (i.e. potentially cancerous) moles, although speak to your family doctor if there are any concerns - early detection and treatment is critical towards positive outcomes.

A - Asymmetry

If you draw a line down the middle of a mole, benign moles are almost mirror images of one another. A malignant mole does not have this symmetry.

B - Border

The border of a benign mole is smooth, whereas the border of a malignant mole is not and can be notched in appearance.

C - Colour

Benign moles are single coloured. Moles that are more concerning tend to have multiple colours in them.

D - Diameter

Moles that are more concerning tend to be larger than the tip of an eraser on a pencil (>6mm). However, malignant moles can still be detected at sizes less than 6mm.

E - Evolving

Moles of concern will change in size, shape, and colour over time. Concerning features also include new symptoms of itching, bleeding or crusting of your mole. Taking a picture on your camera is a helpful tip to track these changes.

These are not hard and fast rules, and not every melanoma will exhibit all of these signs. Another good tip is to use the ‘ugly duckling’ sign which suggests a mole to be of concern if it does not look like all the other moles. Although the recognition of melanoma is valuable, practicing good sun safety is more important, so wear your hat and slop on that sunscreen!

For more information, check out this poster from the Canadian Dermatology Association. If you have more questions, feel free to talk to your Magenta Health family doctor. Our doctors are also currently accepting new patients.

Images taken from http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/melanoma