Skin Cancer: How to spot melanoma warning signs

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce skin color. The American Academy of Dermatology says regular skin checks can help identify melanoma warning signs. They can also help you tell the difference between melanoma and other non-cancerous spots. Alex Osiadacz explains.

[heleneculioli-atwood]

I’ve had eight moles removed. I worked in the field. I had one mole left, light, flat, symmetrical. One day I noticed that that mole had turned black overnight. I had to convince my dermatologist to take it out. It was a melanoma: black, round, flat. Nothing incongruous except that my eyes knew it was a melanoma. So, follow your instinct. You know your body better than a doctor.

[dawnlee]

Wow, thank you so much. Those are great things to be aware of very clear and understandable. Thank you.

[loriethomas]

My melanoma was pink. Also had squamous cell carsanoma hidden in a wrinkle on my neck. I am a boomer that soaked up the sun since the 60s. No sunscreen back then but i'd love to do it all over and never lay in the sun. 73 years old and go to dermatologist every three months.please take care of your skin. You will regret it if you don't

[lolaottinger]

I had malignant Melanoma at age 33, one of the symptoms I had was the never ending itching. As soon as I had surgery the itching stopped. Since then I’ve had many other skin cancers removed, the last two just a few months ago, one in September and one in March, they were both Squamous cell, both malignant. I’m almost 81, my skin cancer battle has been going on for the past 47 years.
I’ve had so many skin cancers that I can now predict which spot is cancerous, just not able to say which type of cancer it is. I’ve also had skin cancers that look like eczema, but are indeed skin cancer. I have not seen a dermatologist in 47 years that has not frozen off pre cancerous spots or done biopsies on spots. I have never had a tan, only sunburns as a young child playing in a creek. There was no such thing as sun screen way back then. The sun is not good for one’s skin!

[Skedawg]

Itching and bleeding isn't mentioned. It should be.

[lillybits]

Thank you. I was unfamiliar with the D's and E's 😊

[thelakeman]

This video is something we all need. I've never had a doctor show me what melanoma was. How do you know if you can't identify it?

[jbiz]

What have been great had they showed more pictures of the video isn't what it actually looks like instead of so much talking

[warrenbates]

My melanoma didn't have any of the ABC 's but dermatologist caught it at stage 0.

[samiramehr]

This is me by end of November with all the laser zaps and radiation exposure I have been getting lately 🙏 pray for me 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

[ozzmanzz]

Another important thing to know is that melanomas can form anywhere on the body including places never exposed to the sun.

[xfqtynw]

Can you please talk about merkel cell carcinoma, that's what I have 😮

[Irishrose]

I just had an dysplastic nevus or atypical mole removed from my shoulder. It would have bevome melanoma if not treated. I went in for concern of a different mole that turned out to be ok. Lol. What i will say is this. Be prepared for pain once those lidocane shots wear off. Yeah they numb you really well but then it wears off. They did my 8 mm punch biopsy waited two weeks took out those sitiches out. Then i got excized with a 4 inch incision because there were still cells after the biopsy. So gained 24 stitches total. Glad thats over. Hats sunglasses sunscreen and clothing folks. Take care of your skin.

[Joyjoy-ihie]

Does melanoma or any form of skin cancer always change in appearance.

[jimmylieb]

watch for red blotches too. I had three removed recently that were. basal cell cancer.

[superjaded]

Chastising myself for not wearing sunscreen religiously

[peterchristensen]

I've had three removed and none fit any of the descriptions, so if you have any growth have a doctor check it. In fact, my doctors didn't think they looked like melanoma, but agreed to a biopsy them because they wouldn't go away even when frozen or treated with Efudex.

[lalarebelse]

I have 1 who has all. This things but i have it from my since i was a kid.

[EmmaMallows]

I just found a weird looking one today. I’m sure it was dark brown before but now it is pink raised and itchy

[ramanandachoudhury]

Where do I get the best skin treatment in our country.