Every year, approximately 3,000 Canadians are afflicted with malignant melanoma, and 500 of these die as a result of it. This cancer can spread rapidly to other organs in the body through the blood and lymph (the almost clear fluid that bathes body tissues), and this can lead to death. The incidence of malignant melanomas in men is rising faster than any other cancer. The death rate is also increasing for this particular cancer, with more men dying than women.
You should see your doctor if you have a mole, birthmark, beauty mark, spot, or sore that:
has irregularly shaped outline
changes colour or is dark black in colour
increases in size or thickness or shape
changes in texture
is larger than 6 mm
bleeds
itches or hurts
crusts or scabs
ulcerates or bleeds
fails to heal within three weeks leading to ulceration, scabbing or bleeding
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In addition to the listed ABCD's it is important to consider E)volution which is an enlarging or new mole. These are the ABCDE's for self-screening.
It is important to keep checking for new or changing moles, particularly if you are at risk. Those that have had a melanoma removed may be cured but they are at high risk for recurrence of new melanomas. If you have a lot of moles it is very hard (impossible really) to be able to tell if new or changing ones are present though.
DermAlert is an image comparison software program developed through funding from the National Cancer Institute that is inexpensive and lets you use your digital camera in the privacy of your own home to find changing moles over time. Then you can point out the changes to your dermatologist. You can see details and demo at www.dermalert.com
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