The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer

Moles or marks on the skin can be anxiety-producing, and it's not always easy to remember what to look for when examining moles or growths to see if they may be cancerous.

The ABCDE rule for skin cancer can help. This mnemonic device helps outline the physical characteristics of skin abnormalities, which helps determine whether it has cancer features.

Read on to learn more about this easy way to remember what to look for.

The Basics About Skin Cancer

By definition, skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. Some types of skin cancer can invade deeper layers of the skin or may spread and damage other areas of the body.

• Basal and squamous cell carcinoma develop primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, and hands. It is also common on the legs, especially for women.
• Melanoma, another type of skin cancer, can develop on parts of the body that rarely see light, including the palms, beneath the fingernails or toenails, and the genital area. The causes for this can vary significantly, as can how quickly it develops.

Types of Skin Cancer

The major types of skin cancer are categorized by the type of cells they directly affect. Skin cancer typically begins in the top layer of skin called the epidermis, which provides a protective layer of cells that your body continually sheds.

The epidermis contains three main types of cells:

• Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface.
• Basal cells lie beneath the squamous layer and produce new skin cells.
• Melanocytes are situated just beneath the basal layer and produce melanin, the pigment which gives skin its color.

The type of cell involved helps your healthcare provider determine the treatment options and the prognosis (likely outcome). The appearance of the skin may provide a clue as to which type of cell is involved, but a skin biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis.

The ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer

Checking your skin for changes can help identify melanoma in its earliest stages. This can increase your chances of successful treatment.

The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is not meant to be a tool for diagnosis but rather one by which individuals and healthcare providers can differentiate between a problem growth and a simple, everyday blemish.

A Is for Asymmetry

Normal moles or freckles are typically symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through the center, you would have two symmetrical halves. In cases of skin cancer, spots will not look the same on both sides.

B Is for Border

Moles, spots, or “beauty marks" are typically round and of no cause for concern. Those with a blurry and/or jagged edge can be a sign of cancerous or pre-cancerous growth.

C Is for Color

Normal moles and spots are usually one color. A mole that has more than one color should be considered suspicious. Color changes can include the darkening of a spot (sometimes dark purple or black) or lightening in certain parts of the growth.

D Is for Diameter

If a skin growth is larger than a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch or 6 millimeters), it must be checked by a healthcare provider. This includes areas of skin that do not have any other abnormalities in color, border, or asymmetry.

This is not to suggest that smaller growths don't need to be looked at—including skin tags (acrochordons)—but those larger than 1/4 inch will always be of particular concern.

E Is for Evolution

Typically, birthmarks do not change significantly. What evolution is referring to here is that the mole or growth is changing in size, appearance, and texture or causing new symptoms (such as itching, pain, or bleeding). This is cause for concern.

Example

The following photo is an example of melanoma that meets most of the ABCDE criteria. However, every case of skin cancer is unique, and a different individual's malignancy could look quite different.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

See Photo

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you notice any changes to your skin that worry you, see your healthcare provider or ask for a referral to a qualified dermatologist. This is particularly true if any blemish or growth changes rapidly or bleeds easily.

While not all skin changes are caused by cancer, the advantages of early diagnosis greatly outweigh the inconvenience (even cost) of a healthcare provider’s visit. Make your appointment today.

Summary

Moles and marks on the skin should be regularly monitored when checking for skin cancer, but it's not always easy to remember what to look for. The ABCDE rule is an easy way to remember different characteristics of the moles or skin marks that warrant a call to your healthcare provider for further examination.

Call your healthcare provider if you're unsure about a mole or mark. It's better to be overly cautious than to brush it off and have it end up being serious.

A Word From Verywell

Skin cancer can be stressful to think about, but it's important to examine your skin for any changes, especially if you're at increased risk for skin cancer or have many moles or marks that need monitoring. If it makes you nervous, talk with your healthcare provider about how you feel. Then, they might be able to have you come in more frequently just for quick checks.