Warning signs
Any change in a mole, blemish, freckle, birthmark, or pigmented area
A new mole or freckle that appears “out of the blue” or is changing, growing rapidly.
A mole or other growth that has any of the “ABCDE” shown below
A change in the surface or texture, the way a mole feels to the touch
Itching or bleeding
A pigmented area or freckle that is new.
Freckles that are dark, dry, or scaly
Redness, other color, or shadow that extends into the surrounding skin.
A B C 's
Asymmetry in shape – one half unlike the other half
Border is irregular – edges are scalloped, notched or blurredColor is mottled and not uniform – shades of brown, black, gray, red and white
Diameter – the size of the mole is usually large: bigger than a pencil eraser
Elevation is almost always present, but may also be flat
Enlargement – a history of increase in size is one the most important signs