Is it Skin Cancer or just a Mole?
Did you know that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70? If you’re 1 of these people, according to Skin Cancer Foundation, when the cancer is caught early, your 5 year survival rate goes up by 99%!
This might bring you to the question, how can I tell the difference between a mole and skin cancer?
That answer is easy, but two-fold. The first part is to speak to your doctor if you notice any suspicious moles or freckles pop up. To determine if it’s considered “suspicious” use the ABCDE rule:
A = Asymmetry (one half of the mole does not match the other half)
B = Border irregularity (edges of the mole are ragged, notched, or blurred)
C = Color (pigmentation of the mole is not uniform, with varying degrees of tan, brown or black)
D = Diameter of more than 1⁄4 inch (about the size of a pencil eraser)
E = Evolving (the mole is changing over time)
It’s also important to know your risk factors:
More common in men
Have blonde or red hair, light eye color and/or fair skin that easily burns
Use tanning beds
Family history of skin cancer
Family history of melanoma
At the end of the day, you know your body best. If you find that you have an abnormal mole, be sure to mark it and keep an eye on it. If you see it’s regularly changing or getting larger bring the concern up with your primary care doctor.
Written By: Carolyn Reece
Reviewed By: Srilata Gundala, MD
