The ABCDE’s of Melanoma – What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself

By Dr. Brian Keegan 

School is back in session. You may know your alphabet, but do you know your ABCDE’s on how to check your skin for melanoma? According to the American Cancer Society, about 76,100 new melanoma cases will be diagnosed this year. At Windsor Dermatology, we are focused on educating our patients on how to check their skin and protect themselves. 

Originally developed at New York University as a way to identify concerning lesions, the ABCDE’s of melanoma is a screening procedure to help patients check their skin. If you suspect anything suspicious, remember to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist. 

Learn the ABCDE’s of melanoma:

Asymmetry – If you fold the lesion in half, both sides don’t look the same.

Border – Most moles will come to an end. Lesions that are of concern may bleed off, look more faint in certain spots or different around the edges.

Color – Lesions that have multiple colors, such as red, black, brown or white, can be concerning. 

Diameter – Moles should not be bigger than a half a centimeter. 

Evolution – Added after the ABCD’s, evolution stands for change. Any change in a mole should be further examined by a dermatologist. 

The ABCDE’s of melanoma provide a way for patients to check their skin at home. At Windsor Dermatology, we see lesions all the time that fit some or many of these points. The important thing to remember is anything that is of concern, should be checked by a dermatologist. Scheduling annual skin screenings is important as your dermatologist knows what specifically to look for and is able to check those hard to see areas of your body.

To schedule a skin screening with a dermatologist at Windsor Dermatology, call 609-443-4500 or visit Windsor Dermatology to make an appointment or to learn more about melanoma.

Maintaining Healthy Skin – The Importance of Annual Check-ups

By Dr. Brian Keegan

Many patients schedule a visit with their dermatologist when they have a concern or issue with their skin, but at Windsor Dermatology, we believe it’s equally important to schedule an annual “skin check-up” with your dermatologist the same way you schedule an annual visit with your primary care physician. The skin is the most visible organ on the body and when there are sudden or unusual changes in its appearance, it can indicate an underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed. Here are some other reasons why annual check-ups are important:

1.     To quickly diagnose and treat other medical conditions.

For instance, stains on the legs can indicate poor circulation that could potentially lead to cardiac issues. Certain types of coloration on the neck could be indicative of hormonal abnormalities. Cholesterol deposits around the eyes could indicate high cholesterol within the blood.

2.     To screen for melanoma.  

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), skin cancer affects 1 in 5 Americans, and more than 3.5 million new skin cancer cases in 2 million people are diagnosed each year in the United States. Even with the progress that has been made over the years in prevention and treatment, the number of melanoma cases are still rising in the U.S., so it’s important to have a skin exam to help increase the chance of accurately diagnosing this skin condition.

3.     To proactively prevent flare-ups of acne, eczema or psoriasis.

Skin conditions such as acne, eczema or psoriasis can flare-up during certain times of the year and in response to changes to the weather. Regular check-ups are an important preventative treatment that can help avoid any discomfort. 

As you can see, scheduling regular check-ups with your dermatologist is a key way to maintain healthy skin and good health all year long. 

To schedule an appointment, visit www.windsordermatology.com or call 609-443-4500.