What changes in moles or freckles can indicate cancer?
Melanomas may form from an existing mole or freckle, or begin to grow from a normal-appearing area of the skin. Any change in a mole’s appearance or the growth of a new mole may be a sign of skin cancer. Suspicious moles or freckles should be checked by a doctor. Melanomas vs. normal moles: • Moles and freckles usually are brown or black and have a defined edge or border. • Melanomas usually are multi-colored. They may combine different shades of brown and black, sometimes with areas of red, blue, or white. They often have an irregular or uneven border. • Be alert for moles or freckles that ooze fluid or blood, crust or clot over, and then ooze or bleed again and don’t heal-they could be a sign of cancer. Melanomas often show the ABCD symptoms: • Asymmetry, when one half of the growth has a different shape than the other. • Border irregular, when the growth has scalloped or uneven edges. • Color varied, when the growth is more than one color. Melanomas may be black, shades of brown and
