Checking Your Moles

Regular skin self-examinations are the best way to detect melanoma early. Detected early, melanoma is highly treatable.

The ABCDE Rule

When examining your skin, look for these warning signs:

A - Asymmetry

One half of the mole does not match the other half in shape.

B - Border

The edges are ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular. The pigment may spread into surrounding skin.

C - Color

The color is not uniform. It may include shades of black, brown, and tan, or even areas of white, gray, red, or blue.

D - Diameter

There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are often larger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser), but they can be smaller when first detected.

E - Evolution (The Most Important Rule)

The mole has changed over the past few weeks or months. This includes changes in size, shape, color, or symptoms like itching, bleeding, or crusting. Any changing mole should be seen by a doctor.

The Ugly Duckling Sign

Most normal moles on your body resemble one another. A melanoma often stands out as looking entirely different from the rest—the "ugly duckling". If you have one mole that looks completely out of place compared to your others, get it checked.