Do You Know What Each Mole Means? Knowing The Difference Could Save Your Life

Your skin is the largest organ and it takes a real beating. Bruises, burns, blisters, and cuts – our skin heals itself up nicely and keeps our guts safe.

Things like moles, freckles, and birthmarks probably don’t seem like a big deal – and generally they aren’t. They can, however, be signs that something is going wrong. It’s important to be able to determine whether or not your mole is something you need to worry about. Know your skin cancer ABCs.

A is for Asymmetry.

In a normal, benign mole, seen on the left, you should expect it to be fairly symmetrical. Both sides look about the same. In the case of a Melanoma lesion, the cancerous kind of mole, they tend to be irregularly shaped, like the lesion above.

B is for Border.

Moles that aren’t cancerous have smooth edges. Their outlines are often clearly defined. Melanoma on the other hand often has blurred and uneven borders. They often don’t have a clear shape.

C is for Color.

Watch the color of your moles. A normal, harmless mole is usually one color, tan or brain. Melanoma can be identified in part because of its colors and shades. Uneven colors can be a sign that you’ve got a cancerous spot.

D is for Diameter.

Benign moles are often small, no bigger than a pencil’s eraser. If you find a mole is growing larger, it may signify melanoma and a doctor should examine.

E is for Evolving.

Watch for any sort of change with a normal mole. Change in size, color, and shape are all signs. If you see a mole suddenly begin to change, visit a doctor at once.