6 things that could be signs of melanoma

The earlier you catch it, the better your chances are of beating it

The earlier you catch it, the better your chances are of beating it

6 things that could be signs of melanoma

The earlier you catch it, the better your chances are of beating it

If you suddenly developed a big, dark mole on a place where there was previously just smooth skin, you'd probably be alarmed. But while a new skin lesion can definitely be cause for worry, it's not the only sign of skin cancer.In fact, nearly one in three melanomas �� the deadliest form of skin cancer —arise from pre-existing moles on your skin, according to a new meta-analysis from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.After crunching the numbers from 38 previous studies including over 20,000 melanomas, the researchers concluded that 29 percent of the cancers developed from moles that were already on the skin. Seventy-one percent of the melanoma cases were in new lesions.So while most melanomas did develop as a new skin growth, a sizable chunk came from a previously harmless mole. That means paying close attention to the marks on your skin are vital, since changes in your existing moles could clue you in that something's not quite right. In fact, the new research also showed that the melanomas that developed from existing moles tended to be thinner, giving them a better prognosis.“These results could indicate that patients who monitor their existing moles for suspicious changes could detect melanoma in its early stages, when it’s most treatable,�� study author Caterina Longo, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, said in a statement.But what exactly should you be looking for in your mole? Here are 6 mole changes that may signal melanoma. So grab a mirror and get checking. 1. A mole that is asymmetricalA mole that is even on all sides is usually a sign that a mole is benign, or not cancerous, says dermatologist Henry Lim, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and president of the American Academy of Dermatology. But if you imagined drawing a line through the middle of the mole, and the halves not matching up, that can mean the mole is asymmetrical, a sign of melanoma.2. A mole with an irregular borderIn a benign mole, the borders tend to be quite sharp, Lim says. But if the edges of your mole are indistinct �� meaning they are hazy, or they fade into the surrounding skin —that is something you might want bring to the attention of your doctor.3. A mole with different colorsYou want symmetry in color, too: "A benign mole is usually all brown. Maybe it's all dark brown and maybe all light brown, but if it’s even in color, it’s fine," Lim says. "However, if your mole varies in color, like if one portion of the mole is dark brown and one is light brown, or the other portion is black or maybe almost skin color, those are the types of things that you should pay attention to."4. A large moleLim recommends using the pencil eraser rule when it comes to mole size."If the mole is the size of a pencil eraser or smaller, usually it’s perfectly benign," he says. "But if it's larger than a pencil eraser, it could indicate that it's malignant."5. Your mole is evolvingPay close attention to your moles, Lim advises. In addition to any of the above changes, if it suddenly becomes painful, itchy, bloody or crusty, talk to your doctor immediately.6. Your one mole doesn't look like the othersIt's called the ugly duckling concept: "If all your moles look pretty much the same but one stands out, that can be cause for concern," Lim says. "So for example, if all your moles are darker and there is one that is lighter, that’s something you should keep an eye on. It doesn’t always mean it’s malignant, but you should definitely pay more attention to it."

In fact, , according to a new meta-analysis from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

After crunching the numbers from 38 previous studies including over 20,000 melanomas, the researchers concluded that 29 percent of the cancers developed from moles that were already on the skin. Seventy-one percent of the melanoma cases were in new lesions.

So while most melanomas did develop as a new skin growth, a sizable chunk came from a previously harmless mole. That means paying close attention to the marks on your skin are vital, since changes in your existing moles could clue you in that something's not quite right. In fact, the new research also showed that the melanomas that developed from existing moles tended to be thinner, giving them a better prognosis.

“These results could indicate that patients who monitor their existing moles for suspicious changes could detect melanoma in its early stages, when it’s most treatable,�� study author Caterina Longo, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy, said in a .

But what exactly should you be looking for in your mole? Here are 6 mole changes that may signal melanoma. So grab a mirror and get checking.

1. A mole that is asymmetrical

A mole that is even on all sides is usually a sign that a mole is benign, or not cancerous, says dermatologist Henry Lim, M.D., F.A.A.D., a board-certified dermatologist at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and president of the American Academy of Dermatology. But if you imagined drawing a line through the middle of the mole, and the halves not matching up, that can mean the mole is asymmetrical, a sign of melanoma.

2. A mole with an irregular border

In a benign mole, the borders tend to be quite sharp, Lim says. But if the edges of your mole are indistinct �� meaning they are hazy, or they fade into the surrounding skin —that is something you might want bring to the attention of your doctor.

3. A mole with different colors

You want symmetry in color, too: "A benign mole is usually all brown. Maybe it's all dark brown and maybe all light brown, but if it’s even in color, it’s fine," Lim says. "However, if your mole varies in color, like if one portion of the mole is dark brown and one is light brown, or the other portion is black or maybe almost skin color, those are the types of things that you should pay attention to."

4. A large mole

Lim recommends using the pencil eraser rule when it comes to mole size.

"If the mole is the size of a pencil eraser or smaller, usually it’s perfectly benign," he says. "But if it's larger than a pencil eraser, it could indicate that it's malignant."

5. Your mole is evolving

Pay close attention to your moles, Lim advises. In addition to any of the above changes, if it suddenly becomes painful, itchy, bloody or crusty, talk to your doctor immediately.

6. Your one mole doesn't look like the others

It's called the ugly duckling concept: "If all your moles look pretty much the same but one stands out, that can be cause for concern," Lim says. "So for example, if all your moles are darker and there is one that is lighter, that’s something you should keep an eye on. It doesn’t always mean it’s malignant, but you should definitely pay more attention to it."

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