Skip to main content
MCHS_Logo_2024_BLACK
  • Patient Portal
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services

      Featured Services

      • Cardiology (Heart)
      • Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Digestive Care)
      • Neurosurgery
      • Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB-GYN)
      • Oncology (Cancer)
      • Orthopedics & Orthopedic Surgery (Bones)
      • Primary Care
      • Spine Care
      • Sports Medicine
      • Surgery
      • Urology

      View all services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Lake City
      • Lake Crystal
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Rochester
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    Posted By
    Melanie Dixon MD

    Melanie Dixon, M.D.

    Dermatology

    Recent Posts

    • Person wearing hat and sunglasses
      Speaking of Health
      Top 10 myths about sunscreens
      May 26, 2023
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight-loss (Bariatric) Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Monday, April 4, 2022

    The ABCDEs of moles

    Topics in this Post
    • Skin Cancer
    • Cosmetic Services
    Moles on neck closeup

    Learning your ABCs the first time helped you read. Now they could save your life. That's because these ABCs can alert you to changes in moles that could signal melanoma — the most serious type of skin cancer.

    Moles are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small brown spots and are caused by clusters of pigmented cells. Moles generally appear during childhood and adolescence. Most people have 10 to 40 moles, some of which may change in appearance or fade away over time.

    Most moles are harmless. Rarely do they become cancerous. Monitoring moles and other skin lesions patches is an important step in detecting skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma.

    The first signs of melanoma are usually a change to an existing mole or a new skin growth. They're usually found on skin that has seen a lot of sun, like your face, scalp, arms, back or calves. However, melanoma can be found in areas that are not exposed to the sun.

    Your best chance of beating melanoma is to catch it early.

    This ABCDE guide can help you determine if a mole or spot may indicate melanoma or other skin cancers:

    • Asymmetrical shape: One half is unlike the other half and not round or oval
    • Border: Notched, irregular or scalloped borders
    • Color: Multiple colors, changes in color or uneven color
    • Diameter: Larger than 1/4 inch or a pencil eraser
    • Evolving: Change in size, shape, color or height; new signs and symptoms, such as itchiness, tenderness or bleeding; or nonhealing sores

    It's important to watch for moles that stick out or appear different than other moles. They are sometimes referred to as "ugly ducklings" and should raise your suspicion of melanoma. Cancerous, or malignant, moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all the features listed above. Others may have only one or two.

    Check out the Skin Cancer Foundation's slideshow of the ABCDEs of moles to become familiar with atypical moles.

    If you notice any of these changes, schedule an appointment with your health care team.

    Learn more about skin care:

    • 3 sun safety reminders
    • 5 simple steps to help prevent skin cancer

    Melanie Dixon, M.D., is a physician in Family Medicine in Mankato, Minnesota, with special interest in dermatology and skin care.

    Topics in this Post
    • Skin Cancer
    • Cosmetic Services

    Related Posts

    Sunburned back Sunburn treatment: What works?
    Person wearing hat and sunglasses Top 10 myths about sunscreens
    Sandra Klein Living with a melanoma diagnosis

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Price Transparency
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Manage Cookie
    © 2018 - 2025 Mayo Clinic Health System