The ABCDEs of melanoma
Five letters
worth knowing.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. Dermatologists use these five letters to describe spots that should be checked.
One half doesn't match the other half.
Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurry.
Uneven color — shades of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue.
Often larger than 6 mm (about a pencil eraser), but melanomas can be smaller.
Changing in size, shape, or color — or starting to itch, bleed, or crust.
The ugly duckling sign
Spot the
odd one out.
Most of your moles tend to look alike. A spot that looks different from all the others — the "ugly duckling" — is worth showing to a professional, even if it doesn't match the ABCDEs.
Other changes to mention to a doctor:
- A new spot that looks different from your other moles
- A sore that doesn't heal
- A spot that itches, hurts, bleeds, or crusts
- Redness or swelling that spreads beyond a spot's border
Self-check
How to check
your skin.
It takes about 10 minutes. Ask a parent or trusted adult to help with hard-to-see spots.
- Find good light and two mirrors.A full-length mirror and a hand mirror let you see your back and scalp.
- Check everywhere.Face, ears, scalp, neck, arms, underarms, palms, nails, legs, the soles of your feet, and between your toes.
- Take photos.Photos make it easier to tell if a spot changes over time.
- Make it a habit.Pick a regular day — like the first of each month — so you remember.
When to ask for help
New, changing,
or unusual? Ask.
Most spots are harmless — but only a professional can tell for sure. If something on your skin worries you, tell a trusted adult and see a doctor or dermatologist. Asking early is always the right call.