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Inspect your skin

Melanoma may be curable when found in early stages. Knowing what to look for and how to find it is your best chance at early skin cancer detection.
Get familiar with the ABCDEs of melanoma and practice a monthly 5-step self-exam to spot skin irregularities. Plus, make routine visits to your dermatologist for a complete skin examination.


Asymmetry

One half does not match the other half


Border Irregularity
The edges are notched or ragged


Color

Varied shades of tan, black, and brown


Diameter
Greater than 6 millimeters (about a quarter of an inch)


Evolution
New and/or significant change in shape, size, or color, or any symptom like bleeding, itching, or tenderness

Early detection of melanoma offers a 99% chance of a 5-year survival rate in the US.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation

5-step self-exam

Every month, inspect your entire body for any skin changes. Use this 5-step technique to spot skin irregularities even in hard-to-see areas.

In the US, more people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined.

Source: Skin Cancer Foundation

Protect

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from sun exposure and tanning bulbs.

Inspect

Practice the ABCDEs and the 5-step self-check to examine your skin for suspicious lesions.

Identify

Each type of skin condition looks a bit different. Learn to identify potentially dangerous spots.

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