| Is a mole, lesion or skin discoloration that's causing | | | | mole has borders that are even. |
| you some concern? You may have wondered or | | | | Look at the coloring of your mole or lesion. Do |
| started worrying about possibly having malignant | | | | you see any areas that have varied colors such |
| melanoma. You may be wondering what does | | | | as tinges of blue, red, white, tan, pink or gray? A |
| melanoma look like and what are the stages, signs | | | | normal mole is an even shade of brown. Or light |
| and symptoms? Melanomas usually have uneven | | | | brown or tan. |
| borders and do not have the same shape all | | | | Size of the mole - more often than not a |
| around. They can start out as a mole and turn | | | | melanoma is larger than one quarter inch |
| into a melanoma, which is a malignant, meaning a | | | | measured across or in diameter. Sometimes they |
| cancerous lesion. | | | | can be smaller but most are more than one |
| One of the big reasons to catch melanoma early | | | | quarter inch. A normal mole will usually stay the |
| is that it is not confined to the area on your skin | | | | same shape, size and diameter. |
| where it's found and can spread fast. Many skin | | | | Evolving which is the newest term when |
| cancers are local only; they are not systemic, | | | | recognizing malignant melanoma means that the |
| meaning they may not involve other parts of | | | | lesion or mole has changed in its size, shape and |
| your body. But melanoma is different. It involves | | | | or color over time. Usually a short period of time. |
| your whole body and your immune system so | | | | Normal moles generally stay the same shape for |
| you want to catch it early. | | | | years. |
| Most moles don't change. If yours has changed or | | | | Make sure to check your body regularly for any |
| is changing, then make sure to look at the | | | | signs of moles, lesions or malignant melanoma. Be |
| following. | | | | sure to have someone check the areas of your |
| Generally to recognize a melanoma you want to | | | | body that you cannot see like your back. |
| follow the ABCDE rule. A for asymmetry - not | | | | So that's how to tell and what melanoma looks |
| even on all sides, B for Borders, C for color, D for | | | | like. If you think your lesion or mole could be a |
| diameter and E for evolving. | | | | cancerous mole or malignant melanoma or see |
| First of all take a close look at the lesion or mole | | | | any changes that just don't fit with a normal mole |
| with a magnifying glass. Don't rely on your normal | | | | or any other of the signs and symptoms see |
| eyesight. Do the edges seem to be symmetrical - | | | | your doctor as soon as possible. You don't want |
| is it even on all sides? A normal mole is usually | | | | to wait. Melanoma is systemic - meaning |
| round or oval. | | | | throughout your body so you want to get |
| Are the borders smooth? Or are the edges | | | | checked out as soon as possible. |
| uneven, ragged, blurred or notched? A normal | | | | |