Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of cancer that begins in the skin. It is completely curable when detected early, but can be fatal if allowed to progress and spread. Cancer is a condition where one type of cell grows without limit in a disorganized fashion, disrupting and replacing normal tissues and their functions, much like weeds overgrowing a garden. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment producing cells in the skin, known as melanocytes. Normal melanocytes reside in the outer layer of the skin and produce the brown pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of our skin. Melanoma is when melanocytes become cancerous, grow, and invade other tissues.

                             ABCDs of Melanoma

Created to help people recognize the warning signs of melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer. The ABCDs are:

Asymmetry
One side does not look like the other side.

Border irregular
The edges are ragged or uneven.

Color varies
More than one color is present. Melanoma may include streaks of tan, brown, black, red, blue and white.

Diameter larger
It is larger than the size of a pencil eraser (6 millimeters) or has changed shape.