Beginning Melanoma Monday, May 2, and continuing throughout the
year, thousands of dermatologists across the country will be offering
free skin cancer screenings in local communities to teach people how to
conduct skin self-examinations and learn if they are at risk for the
most common form of cancer – skin cancer.Skin cancer affects 1
in 5 Americans, yet it has a 95 percent cure rate when detected early.
That’s why the American Academy of Dermatology (Academy) encourages
everyone to perform a monthly self-exam to look for irregular moles
that are growing or changing. Designated by the Academy as “National
Skin Self-Examination Day,” Melanoma Monday is designed to raise
awareness of melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – and the
steps the public can take to prevent and detect this condition. Source: American Academy of Dermatology
Read on for Melanoma warning signs:
Self Exams are what reduce the rate of lethal skin cancer. Look for the ABCDs of melanoma:
- A = Asymmetry — Where the mole is not uniform or one side looks different from the other.
- B = Border irregularity — This is when the borders are not uniform or are blurred or notched.
- C = Color — Is the pigmentation of the mole uniform, or does it have different shades, is it mottled, or does it have red white or blue in it.
- D = Diameter — Is it bigger than 6mm across.
If you have anything like this, then go see a doctor and have it looked at. Remember catching melanoma early greatly reduces the risks or the skin cancer becoming lethal.
Jim
Dave