A, B, C, D, E's of Melanoma

Dr. Jerry Brewer, Mayo Clinic Dermatologist, suggests these guides for skin self-exams:  

• A--asymmetry:  one side of a mole or dark spot looks different from the other side

• B--border:  instead of being circular or oval, the mole has a jagged edge  

• C--color:  the mole has more than one color, a dark area, a light area or the colors red, white or blue within it  

• D--diameter:  the mole is larger than 6 mm across, roughly the size of a pencil eraser

• E--evolution:  any other changes are noted in the mole, even if the change isn't part of the above.  Any itching or bleeding in a mole is also important.  

The summer sun can cause a normal mole to change into a malignant one.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309