Health: Know the Warning Signs of Melanoma

In the U.S. this year, an estimated 112,000 people will be diagnosed with invasive melanoma, and more than 8,500 are expected to die from the disease. But doctors say when melanoma is caught early, it is highly treatable.

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center says regular skin self-checks can help spot warning signs early.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends watching for the ABCDEs of melanoma:

A is for asymmetry — one half of a spot does not match the other.

B is for border — edges may be irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.

C is for color — look for different shades of tan, brown, black, or even white, red, or blue within the same spot.

D is for diameter — melanomas are often about the size of a pencil eraser, though they can be smaller.

E is for evolving — a mole or spot that changes in size, shape, or color should be checked by a doctor.

Doctors say melanoma can appear anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth or nose, under fingernails or toenails, and between fingers or toes.

Experts also say sun exposure remains the most preventable risk factor for melanoma and other skin cancers. They recommend seeking shade during peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., wearing protective clothing, applying broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every two hours or after swimming or sweating, and avoiding tanning beds.