5 ways to spot Melanoma

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) – Anyone can get skin cancer, but it can be treated when detected early.

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. According to the most recent data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 80,442 new cases of melanoma were reported in 2015 in the United States, and 8,885 people died because of it.

That's why it's important to keep an eye on your suspicious, changing areas on your skin, and a great way to do that by using the 'A, B, C, D, E rule.'

"It's asymmetric," said Dr. Amy Morris, Board Certified Dermatologist with The Center for Dermatology.

If you draw a line right through the center, the two halves will not match, meaning it 'asymmetrical, and that's a warning sign for melanoma.

"B is border irregularity where you have notches that kind of look like the coast of Maine," said Dr. Morris.

So watch for a change in size, shape, or color of a mole or other skin growth.

"C is color variation where you can have brown light, dark brown, white gold to blue-black color," Dr. Morris told Cherish Lombard.

Call your doctor if you notice the color of skin growth is not uniform.

Dr. Morris said, "D is more than a pencil eraser."

That's about 6 millimeters across.

"E is evolving or evolutions, so something that is changing, or something that looks like your other moles," Dr. Morris told News 5.

Once a mole develops, it will remain the same size, shape, and color for many years. Some moles may eventually fade away. Always be sure that you have checked the skin.