Symptoms & Risk Factors
Anyone can get melanoma or skin cancer, even people with darker-toned complexions and those who tan without burning. However, research has shown that people with certain physical and hereditary factors are at greater risk than others.
Risk factors include but are not limited to:
- Excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including tanning beds
- History of one or more severe, blistering sunburns
- Fair skin
- More than 50 ordinary moles
- Unusual and irregular-looking moles (dysplastic nevi)
- Family history of melanoma
- Past history of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma
Moles are quite common, and most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Characteristics of suspicious looking moles or dark spots that may develop into melanoma include:
- Uneven shape or coloration
- Ragged, blurred, or notched edges
- Changes in size
- Bleeding, itching, or painful spots
- Changes in texture, becoming lumpy, shiny, waxy, smooth, or ulcerated
- New moles
Know Your ABCDE’s
To help identify early signs of skin cancer and concerning skin lesions.
A – Asymmetry- One Half is not like the other half.
B – Border- The spot has an irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined border.
C – Color- The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown, or black or areas of white, red, or blue.
D – Diameter- While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
E – Evolving- The spot looks different from the rest or changes in size, shape, or color.
Click here, to download and print the ABCDEs of Skin Cancer (PDF).
If you have a concerning spot or lesion on your skin, request an appointment with one of our Board Certified Dermatologist.
