{"id":3663350,"date":"2025-03-26T16:18:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-26T20:18:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/?post_type=story&p=3663350"},"modified":"2025-03-27T13:34:59","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T17:34:59","slug":"understanding-melanoma-the-signs-and-risk-factors","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/stories\/understanding-melanoma-the-signs-and-risk-factors\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding melanoma: The signs and risk factors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n \n Health awareness<\/small>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

\n Understanding melanoma: The signs and risk factors\n <\/h1>\n

Learn more about how to monitor your skin for melanoma and ways to help prevent it<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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March 26, 2025<\/p>\n

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What is melanoma?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer. Characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells, melanoma accounted for approximately 1.7% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to ultraviolent (UV) radiation, either from the sun or other sources such as tanning beds and sunlamps, is a major risk factor for skin cancers, including melanoma. While melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin, including areas without sun exposure, it\u2019s more likely to start in certain locations, like the face and neck, legs (most common in women), and chest and back (most common in men).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The risk of melanoma generally increases with age and incidence is greater among older populations. However, even among patients younger than 30 years, melanoma is one of the most common cancers, especially in young women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worldwide, the melanoma diagnosis rate has risen over the past two decades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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331,000+<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Estimated number of new melanoma cases worldwide in 2022<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Signs of cancerous moles<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A new spot on the skin or a spot that is changing in size, shape or color, or one that looks different, is an important warning sign of melanoma and should be checked by a doctor. The ABCDE rule can be used as a guide to help identify the warning signs of melanoma:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A is for Asymmetry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One half of a mole or spot does not match the other.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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B is for Border<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The edges of the spot are irregular, scalloped or poorly defined.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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C is for Color<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The color of the spot is not the same all over and may include different shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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D is for Diameter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across. Melanoma is usually larger than 6 millimeters in size (about 1\/4-inch or the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed. However, it can sometimes be smaller.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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E is for Evolving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mole is changing in size, shape, or color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Any of these warning signs should be discussed with a doctor, especially if you feel you are at risk for melanoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Causes of melanoma<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many risk factors and causes of melanoma, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n