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