There’s something you can do in between checkups to spot melanoma...

It’s important to take note of any changes in our skin to catch potential problems with melanoma – but who can remember exactly what that mole looked like six months ago? 

Most of us have a handy tool to help us right in our pocket. Just take a picture of any moles or areas of concern, upload them to your computer, date them and save them. Repeat the process 3 to 6 months later and look for any inconsistencies. Here is the ABCD rule to follow:

A – Asymmetry, a mole shouldn’t differ from one side to the other. 

B – Border, the edges of the mole shouldn’t be blurred or jagged. 

C – Color, look out for any changes in color or patchy shades.

D – Diameter, check to see if a mole increases in size or if it is larger than 6mm across.

There are also several apps out there that can help you keep track of your skin health using photos. If you do notice any changes, be sure to follow up with a trip to the dermatologist right away.