Detecting melanoma and other skin cancers

Even the best sun safety practices are not a guarantee that you will not develop melanoma. Both your genes and your environment play a part in determining your risk. By catching melanoma early, however, you can help insure that it will not do you serious harm. Melanoma caught early is highly curable. Survival rates decrease dramatically when it is caught at later stages and has spread to other organs.

Get to know your skin

Check your own skin once a month. Get to know the pattern of moles, freckles, and other marks on your skin. 

Learn your ABCDE's

Most people have moles and most moles are harmless. Learn the difference between a normal mole and one that may signal melanoma. Normal moles are usually evenly colored. They can be brown, tan or black; flat or raised; round or oval. They are usually less than 1/4 inch across (about the width of a pencil eraser). Use the ABCDE Guidelines to help you identify potentially harmful moles:

Know your risk

Although no one is immune to skin cancer, some people are more susceptible than others. It has been known for a time that redheads have a much higher risk of developing melanoma. Researchers have recently begun to determine why. They have identified a "red-hair gene" that increases the likelihood of cancer-causing genetic mutations. Although redheads, who have two copies of the gene, are most visibly at risk, even those with a single copy--that is people who do not necessarily have red hair but may have light skin and/or light colored eyes--are also at greater risk.

Indicators that you may be at higher risk for melanoma include:
• Fair skin
• Red or blonde hair
• Light eyes

These factors also increase your risk:
• More than 50 moles
• History of sunburn or excessive UV exposure
• Personal or family history of skin cancer
• Weakened immune system

If you are at risk:
  • Be especially careful to practice sun safety and check your skin regularly
  • See a dermatologist once a year for a skin check

Find a dermatologist

Visit the American Academy of Dermatology website to search for a dermatologist or a free skin screening in your area:
Find a dermatologist
Find a screening

Track your moles and help research

Have any worrisome moles? Keep tabs on them with Mole Mapper. Download the free Mole Mapper app to your iPhone or iPad. Mole Mapper allows you to photograph, measure, and track your moles over time so that you can easily become aware of any changes. Keep your data private or share it with researchers and help create a database that could make Mole Mapper a screening and diagnostic tool.

The Skinny on Skin: training beauty professionals to help saves lives

Beauty salon professionals, you might help save a life! The Melanoma Foundation of New England offers a free online training program for hairdressers, nail technicians, aestheticians, and others who work in the beauty industry. Just an hour of your time will certify you to help detect skin cancer at an early stage. You will learn how to identify moles that might be suspicious and how to talk to your clients about them. The program is free of charge and can be completed at your own pace on your home computer.

Share the news with your stylist, nail technician, or skin professional. Let us know if your salon becomes certified so that we can spread the word that you are trained to help save lives! 
 

If a suspicious mole needs a closer look

Melanoma is diagnosed through a biopsy. The suspicious growth is removed and sent to a laboratory where samples of it are examined microscopically. There are several different ways a biopsy can be performed. If melanoma is suspected, an excision biopsy, which removes the entire tumor, is usually recommended.