Melanoma: Symptoms and Risk Factors of Melanoma

About Melanoma

If caught early, melanoma can be cured

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, responsible for about 75% of skin cancer fatalities, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

There are an estimated 135,000 new cases of melanoma diagnosed in the U.S. every year.

Every hour, one person in the U.S. dies of melanoma and 15 people are diagnosed with the disease, according to the American Cancer Society.

What causes melanoma?

Melanoma is frequently caused by exposure to the sun, which triggers the uncontrolled growth of skin pigment cells or melanocytes. On the surface of the skin, melanoma can look like other irregular, harmless moles. However, beneath the surface there may be a peculiar cellular growth pattern.

Anyone can get melanoma, though it is more prevalent in certain parts of the country and among Caucasians. Dermatologists are especially concerned because melanoma is the most common cancer in people aged 25-29 and the second most common cancer in teens and young adults aged 15-29.

American Cancer Society
The American Academy of Dermatology
The Skin Cancer Foundation

Melanoma & Risk Factors

Are you at greater risk? Take Our Quiz.

Have you ever gotten a bad sunburn or have spent time tanning? You may be at greater risk for melanoma. Take our quiz and find out

Question of

Summary

Do you have a fair complexion and light eyes?

Have you experienced more than one severe, blistering sunburn as an adolescent?

Have you had excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun and/or an indoor tanning bed?

Do you live close to the equator or at a higher elevation?

Do you have more than 50 normal-looking moles on your body?

Do you have a close relative (parent, sibling, or child) that has had melanoma?

Do you currently have, or have you ever had, irregular-looking moles on your body?

Are there any medications that you take that might weaken your immune system (for example, all steroid drugs, from corticosteroids to anabolic steroids)?

Have you ever been diagnosed with melanoma?

Do you frequently spend time in the sun between 10 AM and 4 PM without skin protection?

You may have an increased risk for melanoma:

Even if you answered "no" to all of the questions, but you have a mole that concerns you, you should speak to a dermatologist who will examine your skin and recommend ways to help find melanoma when it's most curable.

Find a Dermatologist Near You

Do you have moles that look like these?

How can you tell if it’s a normal mole or melanoma? By doing your self-exam regularly, and seeing your doctor annually for a skin check, you are taking important preventive steps against melanoma.

Don’t Trust Apps

A recent study of smartphone apps by the University of Pittsburgh found that these apps are not reliable tools, with three out of four applications incorrectly classifying 30% or more of melanomas as unconcerning. The worst app was wrong in an alarming 93% of cases. There is simply no substitute for seeing a dermatologist for a full skin cancer check. Find a Dermatologist Near You.