Ailments & Conditions

What are the Early Signs of Melanoma?

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. It occurs in the cells that generate melanin, which gives the skin its color. In some cases, the condition could also happen in the eyes, throat, or nose. The exact cause is still unknown, but exposure to tanning lamps or UV rays may increase the risk. Checking the skin for early signs of melanoma is important to avoid more serious complications. The ABCDE rule is the most common way for this purpose. Read on to learn more about it.

A: Asymmetry

Symmetry means sameness or evenness. In most cases, melanomas tend to be asymmetrical. This means the surface of the moles is not even. You can check this by imagining a line in the middle of the mole. Check whether the size, shape, and color of each half are similar. If these features match, then it is symmetrical. Even though having asymmetrical moles does not necessarily mean that you have a melanoma, make sure to inform your doctor as it can be a possible risk factor [1].