What to Look for in a Skin Check: The ABCDEs of Melanoma
May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and there is no better time to give your skin the attention it deserves and discuss the importance of skin health and cancer prevention. We’re dedicated to helping you maintain not only the beauty of your skin but its health as well. This month, we emphasize the significance of regular skin checks and adopting proactive measures to protect against melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer. While sunscreen is a must the most powerful tool in skin cancer prevention is something you may not be doing: a full body skin check.
The ABCDEs of Melanoma
How to Perform a Self-Check
Performing a self-examination at home is simple and essential for early detection:
- Examine all areas: Check your entire body, including areas not exposed to the sun. Use mirrors for hard-to-see places.
- Look for new moles or changes: Be alert for new growths or changes in existing moles, paying attention to the ABCDEs of melanoma:
A – Asymmetry:
One half of the mole does not match the other.
B – Border:
The edges are irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.
C – Color:
Multiple colors, changes in color, or uneven color.
D – Diameter:
Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
E – Evolving:
Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms.
Why a Skin Check Could Save Your Life
Even the most diligent self-exams can miss something subtle. That’s where a trained eye makes all the difference. A professional skin check involves:
- A head-to-toe visual exam under bright light.
- The use of dermatoscopy (dermatoscopes)—a diagnostic tool that allows for enhanced visualization of pigment patterns and vascular structures below the skin’s surface. Our detailed, thorough skin exams are provided with dermatoscopy to improve diagnostic accuracy, whether or not you have a personal or family history of skin cancer.
- Identification and tracking of moles, freckles, or lesions that look atypical.
- Guidance on next steps if anything needs a biopsy or removal.
Early detection is the single most important factor in successfully treating melanoma. It can literally save your life.
How Often Should You Be Checked?
- Once a year is ideal for most people.
- Every 6 months or more frequently if you have:
- A personal or family history of skin cancer
- Fair skin, freckles, or a history of sunburns
- Numerous moles or atypical lesions
Sun Protection: Your First Line of Defense
Preventing skin damage from the sun is a crucial step in reducing your risk of melanoma. Here are some effective strategies:
- Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen: A broad-spectrum sunscreen like our Sheer Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen offers protection against both UVA and UVB rays. Apply it generously on all exposed skin every day, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating.
- Seek Shade: Avoid the sun during peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
- Wear Protective Clothing: Long-sleeved shirts, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses can provide additional protection.
Don’t Wait—Book Your Skin Check with Us!
If you’ve never had a skin check or it’s been over a year, now is the perfect time. At Simply Dermatology, our experienced Physician Assistants offer thorough, professional skin exams in a comfortable and private setting.
Together, let’s make skin health a priority this May and beyond.
If you’re interested in learning more or scheduling a skin check click here!
Another blog you might like to check out: what you need to know about skin cancer or Melanomas vs Moles.
-Dr. Papantoniou