(Pamela Kaufman/ Everyday Health) — Recognizing the early signs of melanoma — and getting yourself to a doctor as soon as possible if you see anything suspicious — is vital.
That’s because the earlier the diagnosis, the better the prognosis. For melanoma treated early, before it has time to spread, the five-year survival rate is over 98 percent. Once the cancer has spread, treatment is more complicated and recovery a lot less certain.
Dermatologists recommend examining your skin once a month, looking for any abnormal spots or growths that might signal melanoma or another type of skin cancer. Scrutinize your entire body, from your scalp to your soles and the tips of your toes — and between the toes, too. Use a full-length mirror and a hand mirror or enlist a partner to inspect hard-to-see areas like the back of your neck.
The ABCDEs of melanoma
Dermatologists use an acronym, ABCDE, to describe the differences between a benign (harmless) mole and a malignant one.
- A is for asymmetry. Most benign moles are symmetrical: If you draw a line through the middle, the halves match. Asymmetry, on the other hand, is a warning sign for melanoma. (…)