Most skin cancers are found first by patients themselves, often during an ordinary moment like getting dressed or applying lotion. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), knowing what to look for — and when a spot is worth a professional opinion — can make a meaningful difference in outcomes, since skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
The ABCDE Rule
The AAD recommends the ABCDE rule as a simple framework for evaluating moles and spots at home:
- Asymmetry: One half of the mole doesn’t match the other.
- Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred rather than smooth.
- Color: The spot has more than one color, or uneven shading of brown, black, tan, red, white, or blue.
- Diameter: Melanomas are usually larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser) when found, though they can be smaller.
- Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, color, or texture, or a new symptom like itching or bleeding appears.
Any single one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean something is wrong, but per the AAD, it's a reason to have the spot examined by a board-certified dermatologist rather than waiting.
How Often to Check
The AAD recommends a monthly self-exam, and encourages discussing with your dermatologist how often you should have a professional skin exam based on your personal risk factors, including skin cancer history, sun exposure, and number of moles.
What Happens at a Professional Skin Cancer Screening
At Journelle Skin, screenings are performed by board-certified dermatologists who examine the skin systematically, note any spots that warrant closer monitoring or biopsy, and document findings for future comparison. If something looks suspicious, a biopsy can typically be performed in the same visit.
When to Schedule a Visit
Don’t wait for a spot to check every ABCDE box before getting it evaluated — if something looks or feels different than the rest of your skin, that alone is reason enough to have it examined.
Learn more about our approach to skin cancer screening and treatment, or schedule a full-body skin check with our team.