Early detection is extremely important! The prognosis of melanomas and other skin cancers is drastically better for those whose cancer hasn’t yet spread to the lymph nodes. Often, skin cancer often develops in unusual looking moles or skin lesions. In podiatry, there are certain types of melanoma that can appear under toenails as well. A biopsy is the only way to determine whether the spot is benign or malignant. A stands for asymmetry. If you draw an imaginary line through the center of a mole, the two halves will look different in shape, color or both. B is for border. Look for edges that are uneven, scalloped or blurry. C is for color. A normal mole is one color throughout. Melanomas may contain different colors or different shades of a color. D stands for diameter. Most melanomas are ¼ inch (roughly the size of a pencil eraser) or larger. E stands for evolving. This means that a mole or lesion is changing and could indicate malignant progression. Tips for Prevention 1. ...