The ABCDE rule forskin cancercan help.
This mnemonic devicehelps outline the physical characteristics of skin abnormalities, which helps determine whether it has cancer features.
Read on to learn more about this easy way to remember what to look for.
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The ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer
Checking your skin forchangescan help identify melanoma in its earliest stages.
This can increase your chances of successful treatment.
A Is for Asymmetry
Normal moles or freckles are typically symmetrical.
If you were to draw a line through the center, you would have two symmetrical halves.
In cases of skin cancer, spots will not look the same on both sides.
Remember that shape is only one of the features healthcare providers look for when identifying skin cancer.
An irregular-shaped mark does not necessarily mean you have cancer.
Those with a blurry and/or jagged edge can be a sign of cancerous or pre-cancerous growth.
C Is for Color
Normal moles and spots are usually one color.
A mole that has more than one color should be considered suspicious.
This includes areas of skin that do not have any other abnormalities in color, border, or asymmetry.
E Is for Evolution
Typically, birthmarks do not change significantly.
This is cause for concern.
Example
The following photo is an example of melanoma that meets most of the ABCDE criteria.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
This is particularly true if any blemish or growth changes rapidly or bleeds easily.
Make your appointment today.
Call your healthcare provider if you’re unsure about a mole or mark.
It’s better to be overly cautious than to brush it off and have it end up being serious.
If it makes you nervous, talk with your healthcare provider about how you feel.
Then, they might be able to have you come in more frequently just for quick checks.
Ward WH, Lambreton F, Goel N, Yu JQ, Farma JM.Clinical presentation and staging of melanoma.
In: Ward WH, Farma JM, eds.Cutaneous Melanoma: Etiology and Therapy.
2015;8(2):15.
Diepgen TL, Mahler V.The epidemiology of skin cancer.British Journal of Epidemiology.2002;146(s61):1-6. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.146.s61.2.x
