The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer
The ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma
First Warning Signs of Skin Cancer
The Seven Warning Signs of Cancer
If you or a loved one notice any of the following seven warning signs of cancer, report them to your doctor immediately.
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- A sore that does not heal
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Thickening or lump in breast or other part of body
- Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
- Obvious change in wart or mole
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
Every type of cancer has its own unique characteristics such as its location, type, growth and how quickly it spreads to other tissues and organs. That is why an early diagnosis of cancer allows your doctor time to treat the cancer for your individual case and to develop the best treatment plan for you. It is important to know and recognize the early symptoms and signs of cancer.
The ABCD Rule for Early Detection of Melanoma
(from the American Society of Cancer)
Almost everyone has moles. The vast majority of moles are perfectly harmless. A change in a mole’s appearance is a warning sign that you should see your doctor. Here is the simple ABCD rule to help you remember the important signs of melanoma and other skin cancers.
- A is for ASYMMETRY: One-half of a mole or birthmark does not match the other.
- B is for BORDER: The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
- C is for COLOR The color is not the same all over, but may have differing shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, white or blue.
- D is for DIAMETER: The area is larger than 6 millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser) or is growing larger.
Other important warning signs of melanoma include changes in size, shape or color of a mole or the appearance of a new spot. Some melanomas do not fit the ABCD rule described above, so it is particularly important for you to be aware of changes in skin lesions or a new skin lesion.
Early Warning Signs of Skin Cancer
Some of the early warnings signs that you may experience include the following.
- A sore that does not heal
- A new growth
- Spread of pigment from the border of a spot to surrounding skin
- Redness or a new swelling beyond the border
- Change in sensation—itchiness, tenderness or pain
- Change in the surface of a mole—scaliness, oozing, bleeding or the appearance of a bump or nodule
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