May Is Melanoma Awareness Month: What Every Patient Should Know

SID
May 4
3 min read

Every May, dermatologists across the country come together to shine a light on melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer and one of the most preventable when caught early. At Specialists in Dermatology, we use this month to remind our patients, their families, and our community that a few simple habits and one yearly skin check can quite literally save your life.

Here's what you need to know:

Why Melanoma Deserves Your Attention

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and melanoma accounts for the majority of skin cancer deaths. The encouraging news? When melanoma is found early, before it spreads beyond the skin, the five-year survival rate is over 99%. That number drops sharply once melanoma reaches the lymph nodes or distant organs, which is why early detection isn't just helpful. It's everything.

Melanoma can show up anywhere on the body, including places that rarely see the sun: the soles of the feet, between the toes, under fingernails, on the scalp, and even in the eyes. It doesn't discriminate by age, skin tone, or lifestyle, though some people carry more risk than others.

Know Your Risk

You may be at higher risk for melanoma if you have:

A personal or family history of skin cancer
Fair skin, light eyes, or hair that burns easily
A history of blistering sunburns, especially in childhood
More than 50 moles, or any unusual or atypical moles
A weakened immune system or are taking immunosuppressive medications
A history of indoor tanning bed use

That said, melanoma can occur in people with darker skin tones too. and when it does, it's often diagnosed later, when it's harder to treat. No matter your skin type, awareness matters.

The ABCDEs of Melanoma

The single most important thing you can do at home is learn what to look for. Most of us have moles, freckles, and spots, the goal isn't to panic over every one, but to notice change. Use the ABCDE rule when checking your skin:

A - Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn't match the other.
B - Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C - Color: Multiple colors or uneven shading - brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue.
D - Diameter: Larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.
E - Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or new symptoms like itching or bleeding.

If a spot stands out from the rest, what dermatologists call the "ugly duckling sign", it's worth a closer look from a professional.

Sun Safety: Your Daily Defense

Up to 90% of melanomas are linked to UV exposure, which means daily prevention is one of the most powerful tools you have. A few habits go a long way:

Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher every day, even when it's cloudy or cold. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, and after swimming or sweating.
Seek shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
Cover up with wide-brimmed hats, UPF clothing, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Skip the tanning bed. Just one indoor tanning session before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 75%.
Don't forget the easy-to-miss spots: ears, lips, the back of the neck, and the tops of your feet.

Schedule Your Annual Skin Check - Melanoma Awareness Month

Self-exams are essential, but they aren't a substitute for a professional skin exam. A board-certified dermatologist can spot changes you might miss, examine areas that are hard to see on your own, and use tools like dermatoscopy to look beneath the surface.

We recommend a full-body skin exam once a year for most adults and more often if you have a personal history of skin cancer, atypical moles, or other risk factors.

This Melanoma Awareness Month, give yourself the gift of peace of mind. Schedule your skin check with Specialists in Dermatology today. Call (520) 382 - 3330 or click the book now button today. It takes about 15 minutes, it's painless, and it's one of the most important appointments you'll make all year.

Your skin tells a story. Let us help you read it.