10 Tips to Detect Skin Cancer

Believe it or not, skin cancer doesn't always start as a mole or freckle. "Although it's important to look for irregular-looking dark brown or black moles, skin cancer can come in all sizes, shapes and colors," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, D.C. "So, any skin lesion that is changing in size, shape or color, or if it itches or bleeds, it needs evaluation by a dermatologist."

If you're covered in spots and freckles, you may feel as if you have no idea what to look for when it comes to irregularity. If so, remember the "ugly duckling" rule. "In a person with several moles, is there one that doesn't look like it belongs?" says Beverly Hills surgical oncologist Dr. Travis Kidner, who specializes in the care of melanoma patients and is a melanoma survivor himself. "Does one stand out from all the others either by size, shape, color? These 'ugly duckling' lesions should be brought to the attention of a dermatologist."

Doing self-checks for skin cancer should be regular. "Either before or after the shower, and ideally once a month," says Dr. Tanzi. "By doing it frequently, it is easier to tell if something has changed.

It's easy to see the front half of the body, but let's face it: There's a lot of skin you can't easily catch sight of. "Many of the melanomas on my patients were discovered by their significant other," Dr. Kidner says. "My mentor always advised his patients to get their significant others completely naked once a month and to map out and monitor any moles or skin lesions that had changes in their appearance."

When you're looking for changes or abnormalities in your skin, remember the A, B, C, D, E's, says Dr. Kidner. "'A' stands for 'asymmetrical,'" he says. "Does the mole have an irregular shape with two parts that look very different?"

Dr. Kidner says that, next, the "B" stands for "border." Trace the outline of the mole or freckle with your eyes. "Is the border irregular or jagged?" says Dr. Kidner. If so, call a derm.

"C" is for 'color.' "Is the color uneven?" says Dr. Kidner. Most normal moles and spots are the same color — whether dark, brown or something else — throughout. Skin cancer usually isn't so uniform.

"D" is for 'diameter.' "Is the mole or spot larger than the size of a pea?" Dr. Kidner says. Most freckles and moles are rather small. Something larger than an eraser head needs to be brought to a derm's attention.

The final letter, "E," is for "evolving," says Dr. Kidner. "Has the mole or spot changed during the past few weeks or months?" Any concerns or questions about a spot should reach a derm's ears — no matter how small the chance of an issue. "Melanoma that is detected in the early stages is highly treatable," Dr. Kidner says. "However once a melanoma has traveled to distant organs, the five-year survival is only 15 percent."

The best skin cancer detection tip is to do everything in your power to avoid it in the first place. "There is no such thing as a healthy tan," says Dr. Kidner. "That red glow you are experiencing on your skin is actually caused by damage to your DNA from the UV radiation." That means no tanning beds and no lazy days in the sun's rays without sunscreen. "When out in the sun, wear sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. I recommend sunscreens that are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide-based, and remember to reapply if you have been swimming or have been outside for prolonged periods of time. The sunscreen will not protect you while still in the bottle."

And, even if you're religious about sun safety, if any lesion is suspicious, call your doc. "Early detection is everything," says Dr. Kidner.