• 71% of skin cancer deaths are from Melanoma, yet only 5% of skin cancer cases
• ~20 Americans die from Melanoma each day
• 99% 5-year survival rate when caught early
• 1 in 27 men, and 1 in 40 women will be affected by Melanoma in their lifetime

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer — and the most preventable. This month, we’re sharing everything you need to protect yourself and the people you love. Cases of Melanoma are increasing faster than almost any other form of cancer in the US, where skin cancer is already the most common cancer overall.

Melanoma is a malignant tumor of the pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, found throughout the body. While the vast majority of melanocytes (about 90%) are located in the skin, they also exist in the eye, mouth, genitalia, nails, gastrointestinal tract, and spinal column, where melanoma can develop in places many people would not think to look.

What Makes Melanoma so Dangerous

Melanoma earns its reputation as the most deadly form of skin cancer because of how it behaves. Unlike other skin cancers that tend to stay localized, melanoma frequently spreads — or metastasizes — to lymph nodes and most internal organs. Once it reaches other parts of the body, treatment becomes significantly more difficult.

This is why early detection is so critical. The difference between a Melanoma caught at stage I vs stage IV can be the difference between a simple excision and a life-threatening diagnosis. Knowing the signs, watching for changes in your skin, and having an annual full-body check with your dermatologist are critical in catching Melanoma at its most treatable stage.

Warning Signs to Watch for

Melanoma can appear in many forms. Some look like ordinary moles that have changed over time, while others appear as entirely new growths. Here are the key signs to look for:

• Asymmetry in moles or skin lesions — one half doesn’t match the other
• Irregular border — ragged, notched, or blurred edges on a mole or dark spot
• Color that is not uniform — melanoma may show different shades of brown, tan, black, red, white, or blue within the same lesion
• Large diameter — a mole that is larger than a pencil eraser compared to others on the body
• Any new growth appearing on your skin
• Any change to your skin, including itching, bleeding, crusting, or elevation of a lesion or mole
• A slow-growing patch of thick skin that looks like a scar
• A band of darker skin around a fingernail or toenail, or dark spots or lines under the nail

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

When doing a self-skin check, which you should do monthly, use this simple framework as your guide:

• A Asymmetry Two halves of the mole don’t match
• B Border Ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular edges
• C Color Multiple shades or uneven color distribution
• D Diameter Larger than a pencil eraser (about 6mm)
• E Evolving Any change in size, shape, color, or feel

Evolving is the most important. Any mole or skin lesion that is changing — even subtly — requires professional attention. Don’t wait for your annual visit if something looks different from what it did last month; call your dermatologist immediately. More than half of all Melanoma diagnoses are discovered by the individual or a family member. Regular self-exams truly save lives!

Who’s at Risk

While anyone can develop Melanoma, certain risk factors increase your risk. Knowing your personal risk profile helps you reduce your chances of developing Melanoma.

Common risk factors include excessive UV exposure from the sun, tanning bed use, a weakened immune system, fair skin, family history of Melanoma, a personal history of skin cancer, multiple moles, and a history of severe sunburns.

Tanning beds are not a safe alternative to sun exposure. The UV radiation from tanning beds is just as damaging — and potentially more concentrated than natural sunlight.

Prevention and Early Detection

The positive news is that Melanoma is one of the most preventable cancers when you practice preventive behaviors. Wearing a physical sunscreen (sunblock) every single day will help reduce your risk. This applies on cloudy days, in every season, and indoors near windows.

Protect Yourself Daily

• Apply physical sunscreen every morning, rain or shine
• Avoid tanning beds
• Seek shade during peak UV hours from 10 am – 4 pm
• Wear protective clothing, hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses
• Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors

Take Steps for Early Detection

• Schedule an annual full-body skin check with a dermatologist
• Perform monthly self-skin exams
• Document your moles with photos to track changes
• Check places you can’t easily see – scalp, back, between toes, under nails
• Ask a family member to help check hard-to-see areas

From Our Clinical Team

We recommend physical block sunscreens and offer a variety of options appropriate for different skin types, conditions, and needs. Our clinical providers are here to help you choose the right sunscreen for your skin. Using the right product makes a real difference in protection.

Melanoma Awareness Month is a reminder that awareness is one of the most powerful tools in skin cancer prevention. The statistics are startling, but when Melanoma is found early, survival rates are exceptional.

Please start your routine self-skin checks this month and share this information with family members, especially young people.

Please take a few minutes this month to examine your skin. Share this information with family members, especially younger people who may not yet understand the risks. And if you haven’t had a professional skin check recently, make that appointment today.
– Your Clinical Team