C. Color Varied – from one area to another; shades of tan and brown; black; sometimes white, red or blue
Over 25,000 melanomas are discovered each year. A history of sunburn is significantly associated with individuals with melanomas. It is the most serious form of skin cancer and can be found in sun-exposed areas of skin where moles have changed. The most effective treatment for melanoma is early surgical removal, which follows early detection. Left alone, melanoma will spread throughout your body and eventually kill you. Consult your dermatologist immediately if your moles show any of these ABCDs of melanoma:
| A. Asymmetry – one half of the mole is unlike the other half | |
| B. Border Irregular – scalloped or poorly circumscribed border | |
| C. Color Varied – from one area to another; shades of tan and brown; black; sometimes white, red or blue
| |
| D. Diameter – larger than 6 mm as a rule (diameter of a pencil eraser) | |
| E. Evolving - Changing in any way - stinging, itching, burning, bleeding. | |
© Soderstrom Dermatology Center, S.C. 2006, All Rights Reserved