Melanoma is a cancer of the skin’s pigment cells. Treated early, the outlook is usually good. It can develop in or near an existing mole, or on skin that looks entirely normal, and can spread to other areas including the lymph nodes, liver and lungs if left untreated.
The most important preventable cause is too much sun exposure or sunbed use. People who burn easily, have many or large moles, a family history of melanoma, or a previous melanoma are at higher risk.
Melanoma doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms — sometimes it starts as a subtle change in the size, shape or colour of an existing mole. If you’re at all worried about a mole, get it assessed.
Other warning signs beyond the ABCD rule below: a new bump or nodule, colour spreading into surrounding skin, redness or swelling beyond the mole, pain, tenderness, itching, bleeding, oozing, or a scaly appearance.
If a mole needs closer examination, it can be removed under local anaesthetic and sent for laboratory analysis. Early removal is critical — report any new, changing or non-healing mark to your doctor promptly.