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Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer and catching it early is the best option when it comes to diagnosis and treatment options. “I encourage patients to look at their skin regularly,” says Dr. Adam Mamelak, board certified dermatologist and skin cancer expert in Austin, Texas. “Checking your spots is not difficult, and there’s a few basic strategies patients can use to detect suspicious and worrisome moles.”
The Ugly Duckling Test is based on the fact that melanoma-skin cancer spots look or feel different from a patient’s other moles, at any given time. These outliers will often have a different size or shape than other moles, itch, bleed, or generally refuse to heal. If the patient has no other moles on the skin, then any spot is also an outliers and should be watched carefully until it becomes clear that they either are or aren’t symptomatic.
This self-test requires that you know your skin well, but can be very effective at catching early warning signs. Each letter stands for a different point to look for during monthly skin checks:
Dr. Mamelak treats skin diseases and skin cancer patients at Sanova Dermatology and The Austin Mohs Surgery Center. For more information about melanoma or to speak with our professional dermatologist about skin health or about any moles you’re concerned about, please contact us.
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