Since most melanomas develop on the skin where they are visible, there is a good chance of detecting it early. Regular skin examination to check on any unusual or new growth or any changes in the existing moles is crucial. Hence, if one ever finds anything suspicious, they must immediately speak with their primary care physician, a skin doctor, or a qualified medical expert for melanoma diagnosis.

Common melanoma signs
To understand the spread and depth of this condition, experts have come up with a system

1. A – Asymmetry
Usually, the melanomas that develop on the skin are asymmetrical. For instance, if one takes a scale and draws a line across the lesion center, the two halves may not match. Thus, melanoma moles look different from regular and symmetrical moles.

2. B – Border
Usually, melanoma moles are uneven. They have notched or scalloped edges. On the other hand, normal moles will always have even and smoother borders.

3. C – Color
Moles that have multiple colors are a sign of melanoma.   Most benign moles have a single brown shade, whereas the melanoma moles may be found in different shades of tan, brown, or black. When melanoma increases in size, the color may change to blue, white, or red.

4. D – Dark or Diameter
In most cases, melanoma can be detected while it is still small. However, if the lesion size is six mm or larger, it could be a giveaway sign of melanoma. Further, regardless of the size, one should keep a check on the lesions, which are unusually darker than others. In a few rare cases, melanoma may be colorless.

5. E – Evolving
Any change in the color, shape, size, or elevation of the spot on the skin, or an unusual symptom, such as crusting, itching, or bleeding, might also indicate melanoma.

Thus, if one notices any of these warning signs, they should speak to their dermatologist.

1. Ugly duckling
The ugly duckling is another common warning sign of melanoma. It means any spot that may look unusually different from all the other spots on the skin. Usually, the melanomas are black or brown. However, the colors keep changing, and the moles look ugly or unusual. Thus, any abnormality on the skin that does not look normal should be closely examined by a dermatologist. In advanced stages, melanoma might also lead to bleeding, and some new, ugly, or unusual moles may appear.

2. Melanoma in the eye – Change in eyesight
In rare cases, melanoma might develop in the eye and may be seen as a dark spot present on the iris. However, if the melanoma is inside the eye, one may not see any sign but experience a change in eyesight instead. This melanoma can be detected only during a routine eye checkup.