By Lauren Murphy, SIU School of Medicine
The weekend I turned 15, I applied for my first full-time summer job as a lifeguard at a local waterpark. During my inaugural weekend as an official life-saving machine, I developed a very painful sunburn after failing to put on even a single layer of sunscreen. And I’m embarrassed to say, that wasn’t my last sunburn as a lifeguard.
Years of neglect and feeling of invincible due to my olive-toned skin left me unprepared for what I experienced just three months after strapping on that red fanny pack and matching whistle. A harmless-looking mole on my outer thigh began to change. My mother had always encouraged me to generously apply sunscreen and check my moles for changes, even at a young age. Although I clearly hadn’t heeded her words of wisdom regarding sunscreen, I had kept an eye on my ever-darkening skin and the exponentially-increasing number of moles.
A trip to my dermatologist confirmed what we already knew: I had an atypical, precancerous mole that needed to be removed immediately. What I didn’t realize was how much of the skin around and under the mole would have to be removed to ensure the abnormal cells were removed entirely. My doctor assured me that I would be left with minimal scarring, but now, nearly a decade later, I still have a grotesque reminder of my negligence and a visual cue to lather on the SPF.
Every now and then, I wonder what could have happened had I not been paying attention to my moles or aware of the “ABC’s” of melanoma.
Do your sons and daughters (or yourself!) a favor: share the ABCD & E’s of melanoma.
A- Asymmetry: You should be able to draw a line down the middle of the mole and the two halves should match (symmetrical). If the two halves do not match (asymmetrical), it is a warning sign for melanoma.
B- Border: Benign moles have a smooth surface. Borders of melanoma typically are uneven with scalloped or irregular edges.
C- Color: Most benign moles are one color, normally a shade of brown. A variety of brown, tan or black shades is another warning sign. Sometimes the color of melanoma can become red, white or blue.
D- Diameter: Benign moles often have smaller diameters. Melanomas are typically larger than the eraser on your pencil tip (1/4 inch or 6mm), but can be smaller when first detected.
E- Evolving: Benign moles look the same over time, but watch carefully if the mole starts to evolve or change. Changes could include size, shape, color, elevation, other traits, new symptom such as itching, bleeding or crusting. When the mole evolves, see a doctor.
Have a suspicious spot or need a check-up? You can schedule an appointment with the SIU Center for Family Medicine or SIU Dermatology Clinic. Call 217-545-8000 or visit us online.
For more information on sun safety, visit www.skincancer.org.
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