Learn the danger signs of skin cancer.
About 96% of skin cancers have a very small cancer of spreading with only 0.1% of people dying from them. However, a small minority of skin cancers (4%) are called melanoma and they have a 20% chance of killing you. Learn the ABCD's of melanoma to diagnose them before they spread too far and take the quiz to see if you're at risk.

A stands for asymmetry.
One half of the mole doesn't match the other half. Melanoma tend to be irregular.

B stands for border irregularity.
Benign (good) moles have nice smooth edges whereas melanoma are busily invading and tend to have irregular edges.

C stands for color.
If the color is intensely black, possibly with a bluish tint, or the color is uneven across the mole, this is suspicious of a melanoma.
D stand for diameter
if the mole is greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pea), then there is a greater chance that it is malignant.

If you have a suspicious mole, contact your dermatologist

The skin quiz
What are chances of skin cancer? - Take the quiz
(adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology)

1) My hair color is:
a) blonde or red (4)
b) brown (3)
c) black (1)

2) My eye color is:
a) blue or green (4)
b) hazel (3)
c) brown (2)

3) When exposed to one hour of summer sun, I
a) burn and sometimes blister (4)
b) burn, then tan (3)
c) tan (1)

4) I have
a) many freckles (5)
b) some freckles (3)
c) none at all

5) My job is
a) outdoors (4)
b) mixed (3)
c) indoors

6) Where in the United States did you live most before age 18?
a) The South (4)
b) The Midwest (3)
c) The North (2)

7) Has anyone in your family had skin cancer?
a) Yes (5)
b) No (1)

Add up your points.
If your score is 15 or below, your risk is below average; 16 to 22, average; 23 to 25 high; 26 to 30 is very high risk. If you scored average or above, talk to your dermatologist about having your skin monitored for signs of cancer.

Melanoma - Find it Early!!
Interview with author Catherine Poole
author of: "Melanoma Prevention, Detection & Treatment"
hosted by Sue Spataro, RN, BSN
interview, skin cancer risk quiz & more
Many of us are now looking at our own skin differently. Melanoma is the most lethal form of cancer and can spread quietly and quickly without a sign. The disease was in the news last year with Senator John McCain and more recently from presidential daughter Maureen Reagan who has developed metastases to the bone and brain from melanoma. The problem is certainly not just skin deep. Catherine Poole in her book Melanoma Prevention Detection and Treatment offers us a comprehensive look at melanoma. From her own personal battle with melanoma as a young woman she shares with us the latest information in preventing, detecting, and treating this lethal cancer.

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