Every May 23, society comes together on World Melanoma Day, a date that seeks to raise awareness and promote concrete actions to combat this disease.
One of the key objectives of the iToBoS project is to educate the general public about the most dangerous skin cancer melanoma and the visual signs that could help in early detection. Finding melanoma at an early stage is crucial; early detection can vastly increase your chances of cure.
A regular checkup of the skin, hair and nails plays a crucial role in preventing melanoma and early detection of any changes suspicious of other skin conditions. Most moles, brown spots and growths on the skin are harmless – but not always. The ABCDE and the Ugly Duckling signs are common indicators that could help physicians and people, in general, to detect Melanoma.
The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is an easy-to-remember system for determining whether a mole or growth may be cancerous. The rules describe the physical condition and/or progression of any skin abnormality, which helps in determining whether it has features of cancer. Learn more on iToBoS website at ABCDE’s of Melanoma.
The ugly duckling sign is a recognized medical research term being used by skin specialists to help people understand how to recognize and track early warning signs of skin cancer. You can also learn more on iToBoS website at Ugly Duckling and Melanoma.
People most likely to suffer from melanoma are those who have many moles and in areas with intermittent sun exposure. Having first-degree relatives with a history of skin cancer can also increase the risk of developing melanoma.