A careful inspection of the moles in your skin once a month can be helpful to know your body more easily and to note any changes and anomalies. To facilitate the operation and make it more effective we must keep in mind the rule of ABCDE, which can help distinguish a harmless mole from a possible melanoma.
- Asymmetry: moles are symmetrical in contrast to melanoma that is asymmetrical.
- Uneven edges: the borders of a mole are regular, those of a melanoma are jagged.
- Uneven color: moles have a uniform color, melanoma can have multiple colors.
- Diameter greater than 6 mm in diameter: 6 mm, grow to melanomas usually exceed this threshold.
- Evolution: the rapid growth of a mole or a pigmented stain must indicate melanoma.
If you encounter one or more of these aspects it is important to contact your doctor to assess whether it is appropriate to consult a dermatologist. During the visit, by inspecting the skin, the dermatological specialist can detect early stage melanoma.
