| Moles are usually pretty small - about six | | | | - Assymetry: half of the ot does not match the |
| millimeters or less in diameter, which is about the | | | | other half (most moles are oval or round). |
| size of a pencil eraser. Ordinary moles are evenly | | | | - Border: moles usually have a clearly defined |
| colored across the entire mole - usually brown, | | | | border, but melanoma may have unevenly shaped |
| but also tan or flesh-colored. They are either flat | | | | edges. |
| (even with the surrounding skin) or raised above | | | | - Color: most moles are the same color |
| the surrounding skin. Moles are usually round or | | | | throughout, but melanomas may have several |
| oval shaped with sharply defined borders. | | | | colors. |
| You can be born with a mole, but often they | | | | - Size: usually moles are less than 1/4 inch in |
| appear later during the first few decades of life. | | | | diameter (the size of a pencil eraser), but |
| Occasionally several moles will appear at the same | | | | melanomas may range from 1/8 to 1/4 of an |
| time on sun-exposed skin. After a mole is fully | | | | inch - and often much larger. |
| developed, it will usually remain the same size, | | | | - Not all melanoma and skin cancer displays these |
| color and shape for many years. Many times a | | | | warning signs! Other signs of melanoma are: |
| mole will fade with age. | | | | - spreading pigment from the border of the mole |
| Melanoma Warning Signs | | | | to the surrounding skin |
| Just about everyone has spots on their skin and | | | | - a sore that won't heal |
| they are nothing to be alarmed about. Sometimes | | | | - itchiness, tenderness or pain - changes in |
| a non-cancerous growth can look like skin cancer, | | | | sensation of a mole |
| but it could be harmless. Most moles are nothing | | | | - changes in the surface of a mole such as |
| to worry about and are perfectly harmless. | | | | oozing, bleeding or the appearance of a bump or |
| However, a change in a mole's appearance (size, | | | | nodule |
| shape, color) is a sign that you should see your | | | | - any mole that is dramatically different in |
| doctor. | | | | appearance from your other moles |
| New or changing skin growth is the most | | | | If you notice any of these warning signs - talk to |
| important warning sign of melanoma. Changes in | | | | your doctor immediately. Not all changes indicate |
| size, shape or color - or a new growth - that | | | | skin cancer or melanoma, but your doctor is the |
| progresses over a month or more are warning | | | | person to make that diagnosis. Be safe. Early |
| signs of melanoma. Talk to your doctor if you | | | | detection of cancer is the best defense against it. |
| notice these changes: | | | | Visit your doctor! |