Melanoma: How to Spot It, Prevent It, and Get Help

Melanoma is a serious skin cancer but catching it early makes a huge difference. If you know the warning signs and act quickly, treatment is often very effective. Below I lay out what to look for, simple prevention steps, and what happens after a suspicious spot is found.

Know the warning signs

Use the ABCDE rule when checking moles: Asymmetry (one half unlike the other), Border (irregular edges), Color (uneven or changing color), Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser), Evolving (any change in size, shape, or symptoms). Also watch for new dark spots, sores that don’t heal, or a mole that itches or bleeds. If you notice any of these, book a dermatologist visit — don’t wait.

Do a head-to-toe self-check once a month and ask someone to help with hard-to-see places like your back. Take photos of moles to track changes over time; dates on images make it easier to spot gradual growth or color shifts.

Reduce your risk and protect your skin

Sun exposure is the main avoidable risk. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, reapply every two hours, and more after swimming or sweating. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves when you’ll be in strong sun. Avoid tanning beds entirely — they raise melanoma risk.

Other risk factors include fair skin, lots of moles or atypical moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, and weakened immune systems. If any of those apply to you, see a dermatologist for regular skin exams — often once a year or as recommended.

If a doctor is concerned, they’ll remove the spot (biopsy) to check for cancer cells. That’s the only way to know for sure. If melanoma is found, staging tests determine how deep it is and whether it has spread. Early-stage melanoma is often cured with a wider surgical removal.

Advanced melanoma has more treatment options now than before. Immunotherapy (drugs that help your immune system attack cancer) and targeted therapies for specific mutations (like BRAF) have improved outcomes. Your care plan may include surgery, systemic therapy, and follow-up scans. Clinical trials can also be an option for some people.

Quick advice: if a mole changes, bleeds, or looks suspicious — see a dermatologist. For anyone with higher risk, get regular professional skin checks and keep a photo log of your moles. Early action saves lives and usually means simpler treatment.

Want help knowing what to look for on your skin? Bring photos to your next doctor visit or use a mole-tracking app to note changes between appointments.