malignant transformation and can become cancerous. This is a rare occurrence, but if your mole(s) changes in color, height or size, you should pay attention. Be sure to have your mole evaluated immediately if it starts to itch, bleed, ooze or become painful.
Melanoma: A mole gone bad
An irregular shaped mole could be melanoma—a type of skin cancer that can be cured if detected early. Use these ABCs of melanoma to be on the lookout for symptoms and signs that you should discuss with your doctor:
Asymmetry – The mole does not have an even shape
Border: The edges are irregular, notched or ragged
Color: The mole has uneven shades of black, brown, tan, blue, red or white
Diameter: The diameter is larger than a pencil eraser
Evolution: The spot is changing in shape, size, color or texture.
Although skin cancers are less prevalent in Black patients, the prognosis can be worse and is usually diagnosed at a later stage. There’s not much public awareness among individuals of color, and many are unlikely to undergo a full-body skin exam because of the rarity of skin cancers in certain populations. That’s why it’s important to…