This video explains what melanoma is and the signs of melanoma that you should watch for.
This video explains what melanoma is and the signs of melanoma that you should watch for.
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. And of the different types of skin cancers, melanoma is the most deadly. In fact, every hour, one person dies of melanoma in the United States.
Melanoma occurs when skin cells called melanocytes become damaged, making the cells grow uncontrollably. The damage can come from ultraviolet light from the sun or from tanning beds.
Finding melanoma in its earliest stages is called early detection. If you find melanoma early, it's less likely to have spread to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes or other organs. This means finding melanoma early can save your life.
To find melanoma early, you'll need to look at all of your skin at least once every month. You can use mirrors to help you look at areas that are harder to see, such as your back.
You may be able to feel for lesions on your scalp in the shower; however, most lesions are flat. You could also ask a family member or close friend to look for you.
To help you know what to look for, remember: Do U C Melanoma?
D is for different. This is also known as the ugly duckling sign. When you look at your skin, do you see any spots on your skin that looks different from the others?
U is for uneven. Check to see if the border, shape, color, feel, or texture of any of the spots look uneven.
The alphabet can remind you what to look for when you're looking at any spots that are uneven. Just remember A, B, C, D.
A stands for asymmetry. If you run a line down the middle of the spot on your skin, does each side look the same? If the sides don't look the same, they are asymmetric. A spot that is asymmetric could be melanoma.
B is for border irregularity. In melanoma, the edges of a spot can be scalloped or uneven.
C is for color. If you see multiple colors with a lesion, such as black, brown, blue, pink, or red, it could be melanoma.
D is for diameter. It's also for dark. If the spot is bigger than 6 millimeters, which is larger than the eraser on a pencil, or it's very dark in color compared to any other spots on your skin, it could be melanoma.
The C in “Do U C Melanoma?” stands for change. Does the spot look different as time goes on, or is it staying the same? Has it gotten any bigger?
Any of the signs we've talked about could be melanoma. Remember to look at your skin monthly, and if you see a spot described in this video, make an appointment with a dermatologist to have it checked.
Finding melanoma early can save your life.
For more information, ask your healthcare provider for printed materials. You can also find information online by visiting www.mskcc.org/pe.
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