Protect Yourself and Those You Love

Asymmetry : One half of the mole does not match the other half.

Border: The borders of the mole are irregular, ragged, blurred, or notched.

Color: The color of the mole is not the same throughout.  There may be differing shades of tan, brown, black, red, blue, or white.

Diameter: The mole is larger than 6 millimeters (about 1/4 inch, roughly the size of a pencil eraser).

Evolution: The mole has been growing or changed it's shape or color.




Sun Safety Tips

• Generously apply sunscreen that protects you from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
• Use a sunscreen with a sun protective factor of 30 or higher.
• Wear protective clothing such as wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves.
• Seek clothing with a built-in sun protective factor.
• Seek shade between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.
• Be extra careful near water, sand, or snow as they reflect the sun’s rays.
• Get vitamin D safely through diet and vitamin supplements, not through sun exposure.
• Avoid tanning beds and their harmful ultraviolet rays.
• Wear sunglasses to protect yourself from ocular melanoma.
• Perform skin self exams regularly and take note of any changes in existing moles, new moles, changes in birthmarks or other differences in your skin.
• Visit a trained dermatologist annually for a complete, head-to-toe, skin exam.
• Support melanoma education and research.