If you have a skin mole on your arm or leg or body now or maybe you have a few of them or even many of them you may be wondering what does a cancerous mole look like. And is it melanoma? I'll show you how to tell if that mole on your arm, leg or body is cancerous.

Of course anyone who has a mole may be worried that they have a cancerous mole. That they have malignant melanoma or a skin cancer, but many people go through a lifetime with dozens of moles and do not get malignant melanoma. Never-the-less one always wonders but there is a good way to evaluate and decide for yourself whether you should have a doctor take a look at your mole or moles right now. Of course if you're in the doctor's office for anything else you can always have them take a look at your moles.

For many years doctors have always preached the rule of ABCD. A mole could be melanoma if it's A for asymmetrical (uneven), B for the borders are irregular (not smooth), C for variation in color, and D for the diameter - which would have to be larger than the eraser on a pencil. But a couple of years ago or so the doctors who invented the ABCD rule decided to add a third letter- E. The E stands for evolving; the evolving means the mole is changing over a period of time. The cancerous mole or skin cancer can change in size, shape and color. And new symptoms of bleeding and itching can develop.

Any changing mole or lesion should be a cause for concern and should be checked out right away. Most moles do not change their size shape, color and symmetry. You would be able to tell there is something different going on.

In tests the doctor inventors of the ABCDE rule discovered that people with melanoma had as many as 70% of their lesions evolving. So if you have a changing mole you need to get checked out now. You are the one that is going to notice your mole changing or skin cancer first. If you have any of the signs of A, B, C and D and it in not evolving you still need to get your moles checked out for there is a good possibility it's melanoma.

An evolving mole is a big concern. So see your doctor if you have any of these signs of skin cancer or cancerous moles. If you catch melanoma early you will be able to treat it effectively. Don't wait. It can sneak up on you. Melanoma is systemic; it is not confined to the area on your skin. Your immune system and body will be involved. Your doctor will decide on whether to remove the mole or not. It doesn't hurt to do all the research you can so you'll know exactly what to look for and know what questions to ask your doctor when you do go in.




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