Skin cancer types: Melanoma
Melanoma
What is melanoma?
A type of skin cancer, melanoma is often called the “most serious skin cancer” because it can spread from the skin to other parts of the body.
Is it contagious? No
Could I have melanoma?
See the different ways melanoma can appear and learn how you can find it.
If you find a spot on your skin that could be skin cancer, here’s what you need to do.
Dermatologists use tools, such as a dermatoscope, to help them get a close look at a suspicious spot.
How to spot melanoma
When checking for signs of skin cancer, you may only think to check your skin. However, it's important to check your nails, too. Look for these signs when checking your nails for melanoma.
Melanoma, the most serious skin cancer, develops on skin that gets too much sun. It can also begin in places where the sun rarely shines, such as your foot. Here’s what you need to know to find melanoma on your feet.
People of all colors, including those with brown and black skin, get skin cancer. The good news is you can find skin cancer early. Found early, most skin cancers, including melanoma, can be cured.
Melanoma is rare in young children. Even so, there are times when a mole should be checked by a dermatologist just to be sure. Caught early, melanoma is highly treatable.
To help parents find melanoma early, dermatologists want parents to know that melanoma can look different in children.
Learn how to identify the signs of melanoma. Consult your dermatologist immediately if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit the ABCDEs.
When found early, melanoma is highly treatable. The key to finding melanoma early is to perform skin self-exams so that you can check your own skin for signs of this skin cancer.
Detect skin cancer early by following these dermatologists’ tips for checking your skin.
Causes and risks
Learn what causes melanoma and why some people have a higher risk of developing it.
More people are developing melanoma, the most-serious skin cancer, than ever before. Do you know what increases your risk of getting this sometimes deadly skin cancer? You can find out by taking this quiz.
If you’re worried about getting melanoma, you may be wondering whether you should have genetic testing. Before getting a genetic test for melanoma, here are some facts you should know.
By age 50, men are more likely than women to develop melanoma. Learn why melanoma seems to strike men harder.