Signs of Skin Cancer

(KUTV) May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. According to statistics, more than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually. When you break that number down, about one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime.

Doctors say skin cancer can be treated if you detect the signs and symptoms early. We spoke to Dr. Lana Pho, a dermatologist at Riverton Hospital. She says there are ways to check for signs for skin cancer. “The first letters of the alphabet will help you determine if those signs are red flags to see a dermatologist.”

Dr. Pho is referring to the ABC rule.

A – Asymmetry
B – Border
C – Changes in Color
D – Diameter
E – Evolution.

Doctor Pho says you should also be the lookout for what she calls the ugly duckling sign. “Everyone makes a signature mole and if you make a variation from that signature mole, that’s the ugly duckling. That’s the one to come in for further evaluation.”

You should be getting your moles checked regularly by a physician, especially if you are at high risk for developing skin cancer. Risk factors include: age, skin color, family history, exposure to UV light.