Spotting a Troublesome Mole

Hi, I’m Greg with LovelySkin.com. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with one out of every five people developing this disease at some point in their lives. While it is very common, many people don’t know how to spot the signs or how to tell the difference between each form.

The types of skin cancer include:

1. Actinic keratosis, which has red or pink scaly patches on exposed areas of skin

2. Basal cell carcinoma identified by raised, waxy pink bumps that may bleed or feel tender

3. Squamous cell carcinoma, which leaves dull red, scaly and rough raised lesions on exposed areas

4. Melanoma, one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer.

The best way to spot this type of cancer is by using the ABCDE rule:

Asymmetry

Borders with irregular edges

Color is disjointed or varied

Diameter is larger than a pencil eraser

Evolving over time

Changes in a mole, birth mark or growth are the first signs that skin cancer may be there. Bleeding, irritation and dark coloring are important signs to note.

Make sure to check your moles regularly with the ABCDE method, but book a yearly appointment with your dermatologist for a professional evaluation.

If you have additional questions about skin cancer, visit LovelySkin.com/Dermatology.

Thank you for watching!