Community Corner
Mole Check: Know Your ABCD's
Most people have probably seen the posters with the "ABCD's of Skin Cancer" on them at the doctor's office, but what exactly does that stand for?
I am definitely more diligent about using sunscreen now than I ever was before as a teenager. I guess the reality set in a few years ago that skin cancer is a very real possibility for me since I spend a lot of time outside in full sunlight and a few of my family members have already dealt with melanoma.
I have seen a lot of posters detailing the “ABCD’s of Skin Cancer” at various medical offices, and I think the guidelines on them are pretty helpful and easy to remember. Knowing the “ABCD” guidelines that have been put out by the American Cancer Society and the American Melanoma Foundation can help alert you to any suspicious moles or lesions.
Here are the ABCD’s from the American Melanoma Foundation:
• A is for Asymmetry-if the mole or lesion has an irregular shape that asymmetrical.
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• B is for Border-if the edges of the mole are jagged, blotched or uneven.
• C is for color-if the color of the mole is uneven or two-toned.
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• D is for diameter-is the mole measures greater than 6 millimeters or larger than the end of a pencil eraser.
Of course, if you have a mole or a spot that fits any of these descriptions, don’t panic! These are just guidelines for you to remember, and it does not necessarily mean that you have a cancerous lesion; simply talk to your doctor about seeing a dermatologist to get a check up if you notice anything unusual.
Don’t feel that any concern you may have about your skin is too small or too insignificant to raise with your doctor, it is much easier to get something small checked early on than wait until later down the road.
If you experience itching, burning, oozing, tenderness or scaling on one of your moles, you should talk to your doctor and have the lesion evaluated. If there are any new or sudden changes in the shape or color of an existing mole, or a new mole pops up out of nowhere, it’s probably a good idea to have it checked. Being aware of what is normal and what is abnormal can actually put your mind at ease and help you identify any potential problems before they grow into something more serious.
