How to Know if a Mole is Skin Cancer

THINGS THAT GO BUMP

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it can be hard to tell the difference between an a typical mole and an early melanoma, but if you aren’t sure, get it checked (yearly skin checks are vital). Be particularly wary of any new spots that grow over time, bleed and do not heal. 

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

MELANOMA EXAMPLE

Asymmetry is a warning sign of melanoma. If you draw a line through the above mole, the two halves will not match.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

BENIGN SIGN

Benign moles equal non-cancerous moles, but anyone who has atypical moles is at an increased risk of developing melanoma.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

WAVY WAY

This is an example of a malignant mole. The borders of an early melanoma tend to be uneven and the edges may even become scalloped or notched.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

CIRCULAR MOTION

Most benign moles are all one color (often a single shade of brown). A benign mole also typically has smooth, even borders, unlike melanomas.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

SHADE CHECK

Moles with a variety of colors can be a warning sign. A number of shades of brown, tan or black could appear and melanoma may become red, white or blue.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

MEASURING STICK

This is an example of a benign mole. As a general rule, benign moles usually have a smaller diameter than malignant ones.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

ERASER HEAD

Melanomas are usually larger in diameter than the eraser on your pencil tip, but they may sometimes be smaller when first detected.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation

EVOLVE + CHANGE

Any change in a mole—in size, shape, color, elevation, etc.— or any new symptom, such as bleeding, itching or crusting, can point to a problem.

Photo courtesy of the Skin Cancer Foundation