How to find skin cancer early

One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.¹ To catch it as early as possible—at its most treatable stage, do the ABCDE check on suspicious moles monthly and consult a doctor if the mole has²

• Asymmetry: Two halves that don’t match
• Border: An uneven border
• Color: Multiple shades of tan, brown, or black; or unusual colors such as red, purple, or blue
• Diameter: A diameter longer than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)
• Evolution: A different size, shape, or color over time

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Last updated February 18, 2021

References

1 Sarnoff DS. Skin cancer 101. Skin Cancer Foundation Web site. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information. Updated February 2020. Accessed November 23, 2020.

2 Check yourself: A visual guide to skin cancer self-exams (w/ infographic). City of Hope Breakthroughs Blog. https://www.cityofhope.org/breakthroughs/a-visual-guide-to-skin-cancer-self-exams. Published May 9, 2018. Accessed January 19, 2021.