Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation

EARLY DETECTION TECHNIQUES


ASYMMETRY: When half of the mole or lesion does not match the other.	COLORS: Healthy moles are usually a single shade or color.



BORDERS: Melanomas often have blurred, notched, ragged or uneven edges.	DIAMETER: Moles that grow larger than a pencil are a cause for concern.



Any change in a mole requires the attention of a dermatologist. Annual visits to a dermatologist can be lifesaving.

UNDERSTANDING SKIN CANCER

Large detected melanomas are deadly. A major contributing factor to melanoma is excessive sun exposure. Other skin cancers include Basal and Squamous cell cancer. Though these cancers are much less deadly than melanoma, they can be very disfiguring. All skin cancers are managed best when detected early.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Any skin cancer can appear suddenly as a new spot or develop slowly in or near an existing spot. In men, melanomas are most often found between the shoulders and hip, or the head and neck area. In women, melanomas most often develop on the lower legs as well as between the shoulders and hips. Any changes in a spot needs the immediare attention of a dermatoloist.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Anyone exposed to large amounts of sun light are at higher risk of skin cancer. However, other factors can increase your risk of skin cancer:

Fair Complexion
Red hair
An abundance of freckles or moles
Severe childhood sunburns
Large pigmented skin blemishes
Family history of melanoma

FACTS ABOUT THE SUN

Sun damage causes premature skin aging, wrinkles, age spots, resulting in dry, leathery skin texture.
You can get a sunburn even on a cloudy day! Up to 80% of the sun's rays can penetrate light clouds, mist and fog.
You can also receive a burn when you are swimming and skiing.

IMPORTANT SKIN CANCER FACTS

Skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in the United States
1 in 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their lifetime
1 or more sunburns double your risk of developing skin cancer
Although melanoma accounts for only a small percentage of skin cancer, it is far more dangerous than other skin cancers, and is deadly if not detected early
Both Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma have a better than 95 percent cure rate if detected and treated early
One American dies of melanoma almost every hour

American Cancer Society's 2005 Facts & Figures