The following system can help differentiate a normal mole from a potentially cancerous one:

  • Asymmetry – the mole is not symmetrical; one half may have a different shape, color or outline than the other
  • Border – the border of the mole is blurred, notched or ragged in appearance
  • Color – there are different shades of color within the mole
  • Diameter – the size of the mole exceeds 6mm (ex: pencil eraser)
  • Elevation – the mole is raised above the surface of the skin

You should check your moles at least once a year for any changes

SKIN CANCER STATS:

  1. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States
  2. Over the past three decades, more people have had skin cancer than all other cancers combined
  3. 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime
  4. From 1970-2009, the incidence of melanoma increased by 800% among young women and 400% among young men