In 2018, approx 13,694 people were diagnosed with Melanoma, as per the Australian healthcare report. Among them, 2000 people succumbed to the fatal disease in the same year. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Non-melanoma cancer variants are far more common and far less dangerous. However, in skin cancer, melanoma used to be a rarity. Melanoma develops on the inner layers of the skin and is more difficult to detect, diagnose, and dissect.
Today, Melanoma has become the third most common form of cancer among men and women. The same report further mentions that there is an increase of 214% in the number of men suffering from melanoma and an increase of 150% in the number of women suffering from Melanoma.
Therefore, the detection of Melanoma has become a matter of utter importance over time. Thus, here is a standard acronym for checking whether the abnormality of the skin is a curable skin problem or a symptom of Melanoma. The ABCDE acronym can analyze symptoms of Melanoma. The acronym was invented in 1985 and got widely accepted. Originally it was restricted to ABCD, but later, the alphabet E entered the abbreviation, adding another confirmation test for Melanoma.
Melanoma is a severe skin cancer; it begins as a non-alarming mole and grows into a very horrific disease. However, just about any mole shouldn’t raise a false alarm. If the mole falls into the criteria covered by the ABCDE acronym, then, no further speculation is needed and you must visit a doctor for an immediate checkup.
Early detection of skin cancer can save your life. As skin cancer progresses into tougher melanoma. If you want to know more about skin cancer, click here. ABCDE is not the perfect tool to analyze the Melanoma, yet it is effective in differentiating a suspicious melanoma growth from the usual blemishes and moles of skin.
The ABCDE Rule is broken down as follows:
A for Asymmetry –
Usual freckles have a symmetric shape, i.e., if divided into two, both halves would appear similar. But if the mole of skin cancer is treated with the same procedure, it would give you two asymmetrical halves.
B for Border –
There are many birthmarks, too, which might be found asymmetrical when divided into two. Thus, for further assessment, the suspecting individual can look at the borders of the mole or the blemish. If the moles are rounded up by a blurry or a poorly-defined, non-uniform edge, then probably those moles need to be taken more seriously.
C for Colour –
Most moles are black or brown, however, it should raise some red flags when you find a mole changing colours. The change in the colour of moles may be non-uniform, with some regions of the mole being significantly darker or blueish in shade than the others.
D for Diameter —
Numerous studies have been conducted to specify the diameter of a melanoma mole, and it has been finalized at 6 mm. So if those irritating moles have a smaller diameter than six millimetres, then it may not be a matter of concern. But, if you do find a mole with a diameter of six millimetres, then the patient immediately needs to see a doctor.
There are other reports too, which claim the existence of smaller melanomas. Their diameter is smaller, but such moles are very rare to find. Hence, the acronym ABCDE still supports the former report, which holds that the criteria to assess a bothering mole should be a diameter of 6 mm.
E for Elevation and Evolving pattern –
The final nail on the dreaded coffin is the growth’s evolution into a raised patch. Normal moles are just a spot on your skin, but the infected ones elevate above the skin. The lesion of Melanoma evolves, causing a major episode of irregularity over the skin.
Watch out for the ABCDE, and stay ahead of melanoma. Save lives by sharing this useful ABCDE of melanoma.