How can I tell if a mole on my skin is worrisome?

The ABCDE of melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer) are used to evaluate a mole.

Moles, or nevi, can be present at birth or can develop during childhood, adolescence or early adulthood.  Moles in general are benign but if changes occur in an existing mole it should be evaluated by a dermatology healthcare professional.

The ABCDs of melanoma (a serious type of skin cancer) are used to evaluate a mole.  “A” is for asymmetry.  If you draw an imaginary line through the center of a mole both halves should be about the same.

“B” is for borders.  The borders of a mole should be smooth  or even, not irregular like an ink blot.

“C” is for color.  The color should be the same shade throughout the mole.  It would be concerning if there was a mixture of colors or if one mole had a distinctly different  (for example darker) color than the rest of the moles on your body.

“D” is for diameter.  Any mole 6 mm (~ ¼ inch) or larger, which is about the size of an eraser on the back of a pencil, catches our attention but size alone without some of the other features noted above does not automatically make a mole dangerous.

Sometimes the letter “E” is also added to the list to indicate an evolving or changing mole.  Moles should be monitored for changes in color, size or shape.

It is recommended that all adults have a full body skin check performed once a year.  If a mole is discovered that appears to be suspicious, that would warrant a separate appointment to a healthcare professional.  So, check your skin periodically so that you are aware of the appearance of your moles and can readily detect new or changing lesions.  And, don’t forget to use your sunscreen!