Melanoma symptoms: How to spot signs, and when to see a doctor
Ohio State dermatologists are reminding everyone to learn the signs of melanoma to increase the odds of early detection.
Melanoma — the deadliest and most aggressive form of skin cancer — is diagnosed approximately 76,000 times each year in the U.S.
While sun safety practices — like sunscreen usage — can prevent many cases, spotting the symptoms of melanoma early and seeing a doctor raises the chances of successful treatment.
The OSUCCC – James melanoma specialists recommend performing a monthly skin self-exam (the ABCDE method) to look for areas on your skin with any of the following:
A – Asymmetry: one half of a mole or lesion does not look like the other half.
B – Border: the edges of a mole or lesion are uneven or look ragged.
C – Color: the color of a mole or lesion is not the same all over, hav more than one shade or color to it.
D – Diameter: the size of the mole or leasion is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 millimeters).
E – Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color or beginning to bleed.
Other symptoms may include:
- satellite moles – new moles that grow near an existing one
- new changes in size, shape or color
- sores that won’t heal
- a mole or lesion that oozes, bleeds or forms a hole in the skin when the top layer of cells break down, allowing the tissue below to show through (ulceration)
Learn more about melanoma, and treatment options at Ohio State, here: https://go.osu.edu/B7qK
#thejames #melanomaawareness #dermatology
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