Melanoma – The Spot That Can Kill

You’ve heard the word and hope it never applies to you or someone you love. But it could…

Melanoma creeps up on its victims – often hidden in areas you’d never expect. Learn what you need to know about melanoma and how to spot it.

Awareness is a key concept. Take a cue from this video – put your own “spot” someplace where it will remind you to get a skin check. That spot will help you pay attention to the spots and moles on your body and on the bodies of your family and loved ones. A simple question such as “Have you had that checked out?” might just be a life-saver!

Melanoma kills an estimated 9,940 people in the US annually Source-SkinCancer.Org

Melanoma Learning Link  – SKINSIGHT.COM

Signs and Symptoms

Melanoma usually occurs on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun, but it may be found anywhere on the body, including the eye, mouth, and genital area.

• Men are most likely to develop melanoma on the head, neck, and trunk.
• Women are most likely to develop melanoma on the legs and arms.

A helpful tool to help you identify a mole that may be melanoma is the ABCDE checklist

ABCDE checklist

• A – Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not look like the other half.
• B – Border: The outline of the mole is irregular.
• C – Color: More than one color can be seen, such as brown, black, red, blue, and white.
• D – Diameter: A mole larger than 6 mm (1/4 inch), which is roughly the size of a pencil eraser.
• E – Evolving: Changes in the mole over time.

Download the AAD Body Mole Map and keep track

Who Gets Melanoma?

More people are getting melanoma

Fewer people are getting most types of cancer. Melanoma is different. More people are getting melanoma. Many are white men who are 50 years or older. More young people also are getting melanoma. Melanoma is now the most common cancer among people 25-29 years old. Even teenagers are getting melanoma. Visit AAD.org

Melanoma Learning Link  – SKINSIGHT.COM