2. People at high risk are those with fair skin, who have many moles, especially atypical nevi, who have had a first degree relative with melanoma, or have a personal history of the disease, and who have chronic sun exposure either through their work or recreational activities.
3. 88% of melanomas are found by patients or their caregivers, but doctors find melanomas at an earlier, thinner stage. Only one in four people at risk for melanoma have a yearly skin examination.
4. The most common site for melanomas in young men in on the trunk, in young women, it is on the legs. As people age, the most common sites become those that have the most exposure to the sun.
5. You should examine your skin regularly and look for moles that are asymmetric, have irregular borders, t have multiple colors within their boundaries, that are larger in diameter than others on your body. Doctors call this looking for the "ugly duckling."
6. The most important thing to be aware of when you examine your skin is any change in the size, color or elevation of any mole.
7. People who have many moles should not rely on either their own memory, or their doctors. They should have Total Body Photography which provides a reliable, pictorial frame of reference to note any changes or the appearance of new moles that might be melanomas.
8. The single best way to reduce your risk of melanoma is to avoid exposure to the sun (and that means tanning booths as well.)
9. After avoiding exposure to the sun, the best ways to protect yourself are with clothing that blocks the ultraviolet rays and with sunscreen, but...
10. To be effective, sunscreen must be labeled “broad spectrum” and have an SPF of 15. (The value of anything over 15 has not been established.) It must also be applied correctly to all exposed body parts and repeated on a regular basis.
