Twenty years on — that's a real testament to your resilience! It's a smart question to ask, especially since not all melanomas are as easy to spot as one on the cheek.
Some melanomas don't look like typical moles at all. These are called amelanotic lesions and make up around 5% of melanomas. They can appear as:
- Pink or Show Full Answer
Twenty years on — that's a real testament to your resilience! It's a smart question to ask, especially since not all melanomas are as easy to spot as one on the cheek.
Some melanomas don't look like typical moles at all. These are called amelanotic lesions and make up around 5% of melanomas. They can appear as:
- Pink or red sores
- Raised bumps on the skin
- Bruise-like or darkened spots under the skin
- Cysts (fluid-filled lesions)
- Flat patches resembling age spots in sun-exposed areas A helpful tool for monitoring moles and lesions is the ABCDE method:
- A – Asymmetry (one half doesn't match the other)
- B – Border (irregular, ragged, or blurred edges)
- C – Color (uneven shading or multiple colors)
- D – Diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
- E – Evolving (any change in size, shape, or color)
Also watch for pigment spreading beyond a lesion's border, or changes in texture like roughness or oozing. For harder-to-see areas like the back, shoulders, or scalp, ask a trusted person or your doctor to check regularly. Taking photos of any new spots helps track changes over time.
Given your history, regular dermatologist check-ups are especially important — they can catch things the eye might miss early, when treatment is most effective.
August 30
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