Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, resulting in approximately 10,000 deaths annually (squamous cell carcinoma & melanoma combined)." 

"One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime."

- The Skin Cancer Foundation - Skin Cancer Facts 2009 (click: Skin Cancer Foundation)

ABCD's of Skin Cancer:

A - Asymmetry
One half of the mole doesn't match the other half. Melanoma tend to be irregular.

B  - Border Irregularity
Benign (good) moles have nice smooth edges whereas melanoma are busily invading and tend to have irregular edges.

C - Color
If the color is intensely black, possibly with a bluish tint, or the color is uneven across the mole, this is suspicious of a melanoma.
D  - Diameter
if the mole is greater than 6 mm (about the size of a pea), then there is a greater chance that it is malignant.

*Call to schedule your skin cancer evaluation today:  (813) 571-1516