PULSE Fall 2026 5 Skin cancer: Watch for the warning signs Know your ABCDEs Spotting the signs of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is as easy as ABCDE. Here’s what those letters stand for: Asymmetrical. Check for irregularly shaped spots or moles. Border. Look for jagged edges or poorly defined borders around spots. Color. Take note if a growth’s color is darker or lighter in some areas. Diameter. Look for moles and spots larger than a pea. Evolving. Be alert to any changes, like a sore that doesn’t heal. Checking your body for suspicious moles may save your life. Here’s what to look for and when to call the doctor. If you do spot any of the ABCDEs, make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin exam. How to do a self-exam The best way to find any of the ABCDEs is by checking yourself regularly. Here’s how: ● Get in front of a full-length mirror. ● Look at every inch of your skin, top to bottom. ● Check the hidden spots, including under the arms and between the toes. ● Use a hand mirror for hard-tosee spots, like your neck, back and buttocks. Have a skin concern? Make an appointment with dermatologist Brock Davis, DO, at Central Peninsula Dermatology. Visit www.cpgh.org/ dermatology or call 907-714-4404. ● Check your nails. A band of color under or around a nail could be skin cancer. Use a body mole map It can be helpful to record anything you find during a self-exam on a body mole map, a diagram where you can draw your moles and spots. This helps you spot changes and warning signs quickly. Practice sun safety Being alert to signs of cancer is one part of taking care of your skin. The other is daily sun safety. Don’t forget to: Wear protective gear. Longsleeved shirts and long pants, hats, and sunglasses can keep the sun off your skin and eyes. Use sunscreen. Slather broadspectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) over any skin that sees the sun. Seek shade. Trees, awnings and umbrellas are your friends when you want to protect your skin.
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