A VIDEO ABOUT MELANOMA EVEN CHILDREN CAN GET SKIN CANCER WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN MOLES AND THE ABCDE METHOD

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A melanoma is form of skin cancer that begins in melanocytes, cells that make the pigment melanin. Actually melanoma can appear elsewhere even in the eye or under the toenails. Melanoma cancer may begin in a mole, but can also begin in other pigmented tissues, such as in the eye or in the intestines. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment, causing the skin to tan, or darken. Moles that have certain features need to be aggressively examined for melanoma.

What is the relationship between a mole and melanoma?

Sometimes, clusters of melanocytes and surrounding tissue form noncancerous growths called moles. Doctors also call a mole a nevus, the plural is nevi. Melanoma can occur on any skin surface. In men, melanoma is often found on the trunk(the area between the shoulders and the hips) or the head and neck. In women, it often develops on the lower legs. Even children can develop melanoma as you can see when you watch the video about melanoma and a child with melanoma who got treated in time and made a full recovery. People can also have melanoma under the fingernails or toenails or on the palms or soles of the feet. Melanoma may also occur in the eye.



A Video Story about a Child with Melanoma and What to Look For Click the Arrow to Start

What is the ABCDE Screening Method for Melanoma?

The ABCDE method to screen for melanoma simply means that a mole that meets any of these criteria should be examined by a physician. It is hard even for doctors sometimes to look at a skin lesion and determine if it is cancerous. Actually I would recommend you ask your physician at even the slightest suspicion. It's better to be safe than sorry. The melanoma screening method includes:

Asymmetric. The shape of one half does not match the other.

Border irregularity. The edges are often ragged, notched, blurred, or irregular in outline; the pigment may spread into the surrounding skin.

Color variation. The color is uneven. Shades of black, brown, and tan may be present. Areas of white, grey, red, pink, or blue also may be seen.

Diameter larger than six millimeters. There is a change in size, usually an increase. Melanomas are usually larger than the eraser of a pencil (1/4 inch or 5 millimeters).

Evolution or changes in the skin lesion






If the doctor suspects that a spot on the skin is melanoma, the person will need to have a biopsy. A biopsy is the only way to make a definite diagnosis of melanoma. In this procedure, the doctor tries to remove all of the suspicious-looking growth. This is an excisional biopsy. A pathologist then examines the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Sometimes it is helpful for more than one pathologist to check the tissue for cancer cells.

Bigger Moles Not Better