WARNING SIGNS: THE ABCDEs OF MELANOMA




ASYMMETRY: If you draw a line through your mole, the two halves will not match.


BORDER: The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven.


COLOR: Having a variety of colors is another warning signal. A number of different shades of brown, tan or black could appear. A melanoma may also become red, blue or some other color.


DIAMETER: Melanomas usually are larger in diameter than the size of the eraser on your pencil(1/4 inch or 6mm), but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.


EVOLVING: Any change - in size, shape, color, elevation, or another trait, or any new symptom such as bleeding, itching or cursting - points to danger.


source: www.skincancer.org/melanoma