Mission magazine banner
The “ABCD rule” to detect malignant melanoma

Warning Signs

August 2007

Health Science Center experts encourage the use of the "ABCD rule" to detect malignant melanoma. If you notice any of the following symptoms, alert your physician immediately.

A is for ASYMMETRY: One half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.

B is for BORDER: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.

C is for COLOR: The color is not the same all over and may include shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white or blue.

D is for DIAMETER: The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger.



Mole images courtesy of the National Cancer Institute.


Related Stories

Sun downs
Most common types of skin cancer
Ozone Alert
Dermatology Services
Sunscreen Update



Next article >>


Current Issue Content

E-Subscribe

Back Issues

Current Issue (PDF)

Share this story
Email Print Twitter Facebook MySpace Stumble Digg
More Destinations

Contact Mission

UT Health Science Center
7703 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, Texas
78229-3900

News Releases

HSC News

Give to HSC

University Homepage

© 2002 - 2013 UTHSCSA
Office of Communications
All rights reserved.

Updated 5/17/12

Links provided from UTHSCSA pages to other websites do not constitute or imply an endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites.