May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, New England Cancer Specialists Shares Warning Signs

Recently, Dr. John Winters from New England Cancer Specialists took the time to talk with us about skin cancer, most importantly, melanoma.

Here are some guidelines that Dr. Winters shared regarding recognizing skin cancer. Since most melanomas are discovered by the patient or a loved one, the first step is to keep your eyes open for the following changes:

• Asymmetry, one half of the mole growing differently than the other.
• Changes in the edges of the mole, are they irregular or notched?
• Is the color patchy or irregular? It could include regular flesh tone tissue, pink,  blue, red or white.
• Is the diameter fairly large? Some melanomas are smaller, but if a mole is the size of a pencil eraser you should have it checked,
• Is the color or shape of the mole evolving?
• Itchiness, tenderness or pain.
• Oozing, scaliness or bleeding.
• a sore that doesn't heal.

These are just some of the signs, please visit newenglandcancerspecialists.org for more information about skin cancer and its prevention. We'll check in with more information about melanoma throughout the month of May.