Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. So if you find a new mole or skin growth, or if you notice a change in an existing mole, you should probably get it checked out. Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains that melanoma is often thought of as cancer of the mole but it doesn’t always appear as a mole. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells, which are found throughout your body.
According to Dr. Larocca, there’s a an easy way to check if a mole needs further evaluation. It’s called the ABCDE rule:
A: Asymmetry of the mole, or when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other
B: Border irregularity or Bleeding
C: Color change either lightening or darkening of a mole
D: Diameter greater than 6mm or enlarging moles
E: Evolving size, shape or color.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca is a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Read More
Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. So if you find a new mole or skin growth, or if you notice a change in an existing mole, you should probably get it checked out. Dr. Cecilia Larocca, a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains that melanoma is often thought of as cancer of the mole but it doesn’t always appear as a mole. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment-producing cells, which are found throughout your body.
According to Dr. Larocca, there’s a an easy way to check if a mole needs further evaluation. It’s called the ABCDE rule:
READ MORE
A:
Asymmetry of the mole, or when one half of the mole doesn’t match the other
B: Border irregularity or Bleeding
C: Color change either lightening or darkening of a mole
D: Diameter greater than 6mm or enlarging moles
E: Evolving size, shape or color.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
Dr. Cecilia Larocca is a dermatologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Read More
