Skin Cancer
The number of people getting skin cancer is increasing, and people are getting it at younger ages. The good news is that with early detection, skin cancer can be cured in 85 to 95 percent of all cases. It is also preventable.
Monitoring Moles
Moles are small, pigmented (colored) marks on the skin. They have no known purpose. Most moles appear before age 30. Moles most often are benign (not cancer) and harmless. But some become cancerous. That’s why you need to watch the moles on your body.
Watching for Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Often, the first sign of melanoma is a change in the size, shape, color or feel of an existing mole, according to the National Cancer Institute. If you have any of these signs, see your health care provider:
Asymmetry: The shape of half of the mole doesn't match the other.
Border: The edges are often ragged, notched, blurred or irregular; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.
Color: The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown and tan may be present. Areas of white, gray, red, pink or blue also may be seen.
Diameter: The size of the mole changes, usually growing larger. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (a quarter-inch).
