The marks on the skin are very hard to differentiate, and it is isn`t easy to tell which are harmless and which one are suspicious.
However, don’t just sit and wonder. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of melanoma have doubled over the past three decades, making it the most common skin cancer in the U.S.
You are probably familiar with “ABCDE”, a trick that dermatology experts came up with in order to help you detect and recognize dangerous skin spots:
- Flag moles that are Asymmetrical
- Have irregular Borders
- Contain more than one Color
- Have a Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser
- Evolve or change over time
According to Clifford Perlis, M.D., a dermatologist at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, this is an excellent surveillance method, but it isn`t foolproof.
“While many melanomas meet the ABCDE criteria, there are some that don’t,” he says. “And even within it, there are outliers. For instance, many cases of melanoma can be smaller than a pencil eraser.”
You should definitely see a dermatologist and to an annual skin screening. However, you need to be observant on your own as well. Read on and learn how to watch out for your own skin.
IT CAN BE MELANOM IF:
- It is New
According to Dr. Perlis, after your mid-30s, you shouldn’t be growing new moles. As a new study conducted by Harvard Medical School suggests, most melanomas arise from previously normal skin, and only 28% of cases develop from an existing mole.
The best scenario is that it is just a liver spot or sunspot. These flat, small, light brown spots are very similar with moles and tend to pop up on sun-exposed areas, such as shoulders and forearms.
They aren’t cancerous, but it isn`t easy to tell whether it is a simple sunspot or something much more serious.
- It Itches, Bleeds, or Hurts
As Dr. Perlis explains, normal and healthy mole doesn’t cause any pain, bleeding or itching. Get it checked right away!
- It`s a Surprising Color
Even though most people believe that melanomas are brown, some look pink and skin-colored, according to Dr. Perlis. In addition, pearly, reddish, black, and translucent spots can be cancerous as well.
IT IS PROBABLY HARMLESS IF:
- It Looks More of a Wart
You are also likely to have seborrheic keratosis, a benign growth with a scaly, wart-like, thick, or waxy surface. These growths vary in color, and usually range from light tan to brown to black. They usually appear on the back, shoulders, chest, and the face.
According to Dr. Perlis, they don’t itch or hurt, but they can peel off and grow back. ” In some cases, they can mimic melanoma in appearance—especially to the average guy’s eyes. “It’s best to have an expert help you distinguish between the two.”
