Cancer Skin Cancer Symptoms The ABCDEs of Skin Cancer An Easy-to-Remember Way to Spot Potential Problems By Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH Jaime R. Herndon, MS, MPH Jaime Herndon is a freelance health/medical writer with over a decade of experience writing for the public. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 19, 2022 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and an assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Basics of Skin Cancer Types of Skin Cancer ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer When to See a Healthcare Provider Summary A Word From Verywell Moles or marks on the skin can be anxiety-producing, and it's not always easy to remember what to look for when examining moles or growths to see if they may be cancerous. The ABCDE rule for skin cancer can help. This mnemonic device helps to outline the physical characteristics of skin abnormalities, which helps in determining whether it has features of cancer. Read on to learn more about this easy way to remember what to look for. 1:50 Watch Now: The ABCDE Rule of Melanoma The Basics About Skin Cancer By definition, skin cancer is the abnormal growth of skin cells. Some types of skin cancer can invade deeper layers of the skin or may spread and damage other areas of the body. Basal and squamous cell carcinoma develop primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, and hands. It is also common on the legs, especially for women. Melanoma, another type of skin cancer, can develop on parts of the body that rarely see light, including the palms, beneath the fingernails or toenails, and the genital area. The causes for this can vary significantly, as can how quickly it develops. Types of Skin Cancer The major types of skin cancer are categorized by the type of cells they directly affect. Skin cancer typically begins in the top layer of skin called the epidermis, which provides a protective layer of cells that your body continually sheds. The epidermis contains three main types of cells: Squamous cells lie just below the outer surface. Basal cells lie beneath the squamous layer and produce new skin cells. Melanocytes are situated just beneath the basal layer and produce melanin, the pigment which gives skin its color. The type of cell involved helps your healthcare provider determine both the treatment options and the prognosis (likely outcome). The appearance of the skin may provide a clue as to which type of cell is involved, but a skin biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. The ABCDE Rule of Skin Cancer Checking your skin for changes can help identify melanoma in its earliest stages. This can increase your chances of successful treatment. The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is not meant to be a tool for diagnosis, but rather one by which individuals and healthcare providers can differentiate between a problem growth and a simple, everyday blemish. A Is for Asymmetry Normal moles or freckles are typically symmetrical. If you were to draw a line through the center, you would have two symmetrical halves. In cases of skin cancer, spots will not look the same on both sides. Remember that shape is only one of the features healthcare providers look for when identifying skin cancer. An irregular-shaped mark does not necessarily mean you have cancer. B Is for Border Moles, spots, or “beauty marks" are typically round and of no cause for concern. Those with a blurry and/or jagged edge can be a sign of cancerous or pre-cancerous growth. C Is for Color Normal moles and spots are usually one color. A mole that has more than one color should be considered suspicious. Color changes can include the darkening of a spot (sometimes to dark purple or black) or lightening in certain parts of the growth. D Is for Diameter If a skin growth is larger than a pencil eraser (about 1/4 inch or 6mm), it must be checked by a healthcare provider. This includes areas of skin that do not have any other abnormalities in color, border, or asymmetry. This is not to suggest that smaller growths don't need to be looked at —including skin tags (acrochordons)—but those larger than 1/4 inch will always be of particular concern. E Is for Evolution Typically, birthmarks do not change significantly. What evolution is referring to here that the mole or growth is changing in size, appearance, and texture, or causing new symptoms (such as itching, pain, or bleeding). This is cause for concern. How Can You Tell If It's a Mole or Skin Cancer? Example The following photo is an example of melanoma that meets most of the ABCDE criteria. However, every case of skin cancer is unique, and a different individual's malignancy could look quite different. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. See Photo Lentigo maligna melanoma. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND When to See a Healthcare Provider If you notice any changes to your skin that worry you, see your healthcare provider or ask for a referral to a qualified dermatologist. This is particularly true if there is any blemish or growth that changes rapidly or bleeds easily. While not all skin changes are caused by cancer, the advantages of early diagnosis greatly outweigh the inconvenience (even cost) of a healthcare provider’s visit. Make your appointment today. Summary Moles and marks on the skin should be monitored regularly when checking for skin cancer, but it's not always easy to remember what to look for. The ABCDE rule is an easy way to remember different characteristics of the moles or skin marks that would warrant a call to your healthcare provider for further examination. Call your provider if you're unsure about a mole or mark. It's better to be overly cautious than to brush it off and have it end up being serious. A Word From Verywell Skin cancer can be stressful to think about, but it's important to examine your skin for any changes, especially if you're at increased risk for skin cancer or if you have a lot of moles or marks that need monitoring. If it makes you nervous, talk with your provider about how you feel. They might be able to have you come in on a more frequent basis just for quick checks. 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Ward WH, Lambreton F, Goel N, Yu JQ, Farma JM. Clinical presentation and staging of melanoma. In: Ward WH, Farma JM, eds. Cutaneous Melanoma: Etiology and Therapy. Codon Publications; 2018:79-89. doi:10.15586/codon.cutaneousmelanoma.2017 Apalla Z, Nashan D, Weller RB, Castellsagué X. Skin cancer: epidemiology, disease burden, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2017;7(Suppl 1):5–19. doi:10.1007/s13555-016-0165-y Daniel Jensen J, Elewski BE. The ABCDEF rule: combining the “ABDCEF rule” and the “ugly duckling sign” in an effort to improve patient self-screening examinations. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(2):15. Additional Reading Diepgen, T. and Mahler, V. The Epidemiology of Skin Cancer. British Journal of Epidemiology. April 2002; 146:1-6. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2133.146.s61.2.x Originally written by Lisa Fayed See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! 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