Early detection: check your skin
A melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including places which do not receive frequent sun exposure, but may have been sunburnt. A melanoma is likely to have a similar appearance to a mole but unlike a mole, a melanoma will usually grow larger and become more irregular in shape and colour.
Check your skin and moles at least every three months. The ABCDE rule is a useful guide of what to look for.
Asymmetry - Moles that, if divided in half are not the same on both sides.
Border - Moles with edges that are jagged like a coastline.
Colour - Moles gaining or losing colour, or multicoloured.
Diameter - Moles more than 1/2 cm in diameter (especially if uneven colour).
Evolution - Moles that have changed size, shape, colour or risen.
If you spot any of them, see your doctor straight away.
Almost everyAustralian is at
an increased risk
of skin cancers,
from the deadly
melanoma to two types of
non-melanoma cancers.
