/assets/images/provider/photos/2730810.jpeg)
Florida is known as the Sunshine State for good reason — year-round sunshine and warm weather makes this state attractive to residents and visitors alike. But even though the warm sun may feel great on your skin, you can have too much of a good thing, and excessive basking can dramatically increase your risk of skin cancer.
At Luminary Dermatology, our team helps our patients protect themselves against skin cancer, offering both diagnosis and treatment options to prevent serious and even life-threatening complications.
To mark Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we’re dedicating this May blog post to the basics of the ABCDE technique to help you learn about the signs of the deadliest type of skin cancer: melanoma.
Skin cancer basics
Skin cancer is the most common cancer among Americans, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and every hour on average, more than two people die from skin cancer and its complications. By age 70, at least 20% of people develop skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
One reason why skin cancer is so common is because it’s related to something most of us encounter on a near daily basis: exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. That exposure doesn’t just happen on sunny days. UV rays penetrate cloud cover without any problem, which means exposure happens on rainy days and even on days when the temperature is cold.
UV damage is cumulative, and if you have five or more sunburns over your lifetime, your risk of developing melanoma doubles. The good news: When melanoma is caught early, the survival rate is high. Learning to identify the signs of melanoma is essential for seeking care early, and that begins with learning your ABCs.
The ABCs of melanoma
Our team is skilled in identifying even the subtlest signs of melanoma, but there are some signs you can look for, too. Researchers develop the ABCDE technique to make it easier for anyone to spot early warning signs that need prompt medical evaluation.
Because melanoma frequently begins as a mole-like growth, the ABCDE technique looks at specific changes in moles.
A is for asymmetry
If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of a benign mole, the sides are symmetrical — roughly mirror images of the other. Melanoma lesions tend to be asymmetrical, which means one side or half of the lesion looks different from the other half.
B is for border
Most benign moles have smooth edges or borders. Melanoma lesions often have scalloped, ragged, or irregular borders.
C is for color
While moles can be different colors, the color for an individual mole is usually consistent across the lesion. Melanoma lesions can contain multiple colors, like brown, black, pink, white, and even blue.
D is for diameter
Melanomas may start small, but they grow over time. If you have a lesion that’s larger than a pencil eraser, it should be evaluated for the presence of melanoma cells.
E is for evolving
Benign moles typically don’t change in appearance. Melanoma lesions can change in size, shape, or color over time, or they may be flaky or itchy. New moles should also be evaluated for melanoma.
It’s important to note that while using the ABCDE method can be helpful in spotting potential melanomas or other skin cancer growths, it’s not a substitute for a clinical skin exam with our team. Melanoma lesions can look very inconspicuous, and having regular skin cancer evaluations plays an important role in early diagnosis and treatment.
Schedule a skin cancer exam today
Skin cancer exams are quick and thorough, relying on advanced techniques to identify potential skin cancer lesions so they can be tested and, when needed, treated as early as possible.
To schedule your screening, book an appointment online or over the phone with our team at Luminary Dermatology. Visit our office in one of our Florida offices in Arcadia, Miami, Homestead, Sarasota, Venice, Longboat Key, Bradenton, and Northport.