Wednesday, September 29, 2010

The ABCs of Melanoma

Since the beginning of this year, Greenville Dermatology has diagnosed over 550 new cases of skin cancer, including one patient under the age of 30. Furthermore, 20 of those cases were classified as melanoma, the least common but most dangerous form of skin cancer. The best preventative for skin cancer is protecting yourself from the sun and avoiding tanning beds. In addition to visiting your dermatologist once a year for a full body exam if you are at normal risk, you should also perform regular self checks to look for lumps, discolorations, and changes in moles. The easiest way to determine if you may have skin cancer is as easy as your ABCs.
  • Asymmetrical skin lesion
  • Border of the lesion is irregular
  • Color: multiple colors or changing color in a mole
  • Diameter: moles greater than 6 mm are more likely to be melanomas than smaller moles
  • Enlarging: enlarging or evolving
Make an appointment at Greenville Dermatology today for your skin cancer screening. Early detection is key for prevention!

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