Spot your dots
Plot your dots over time

Check Your Skin

In most cases, when detected and treated early, melanoma is curable. Unfortunately, more than 18% of melanoma cases are diagnosed only after they have spread to other parts of the body. The American Cancer Society and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend that everyone perform a skin self-exam monthly and visit a dermatologist annually. In short, spot your dots, plot your dots and go derm go!

Spot your dots

Knowing how to spot your dots (moles, freckles, etc.) could save your life. And it's as easy as ABCDE.

• Asymmetry. Common benign moles are round and symmetrical, but melanomas are asymmetrical. This means that if you were to draw a line through the middle of the melanoma, the two sides would not match.
• Border. A common, harmless mole has smooth, even borders, but melanomas are usually irregular in shape, with scalloped or notched edges.
• Color. Common moles generally are typically one shade of brown, but melanomas display a variety of shades of brown or black, as well as some unusual shades - mixed red, white, and even blue.
• Diameter. Common moles are smaller than melanoma. Melanomas are usually larger than 1/4 inch (6 millimeters), the size of a pencil eraser. There are exceptions, however.
• Enlargement. Common moles do not change or enlarge rapidly, but melanomas do.

Symmetrical	Asymmetrical (the two sides do not match)	Borders are even	Borders are uneven
One shade	Two or more shades	Smaller than 1/4 inch	Larger than 1/4 inch

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Plot your dots over time

It is also important to PLOT YOUR DOTS over time. Look for changes in size, color, and elevation. If moles suddenly get larger, become multi-colored or newly colored, or if a flat mole becomes raised, it could be melanoma. If the skin around a mole becomes red or develops colored blemishes or swellings or if a smooth mole develops scaliness, oozing or bleeding, it could be melanoma. Or if a mole itches, it could be melanoma. If any of these changes occur or if you catch something odd checking the ABCDE's of a skin self-exam, you should be checked by a professional before your regular yearly visit.
It is particularly important for you to select a physician who specializes in skin cancer and is trained to recognize a melanoma at its earliest stage. You would first see a dermatologist, who might refer you to a dermatologic surgeon or oncologist (cancer specialist).
SPOT YOUR DOTS, PLOT YOUR DOTS and GO DERM GO. Prompt action is your best protection against deadly melanoma.

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