The ABCDEs of melanoma, explained -- and why catching it early makes all the difference

Melanoma Monday is an annual initiative to raise awareness about melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Experts stress the importance of regular skin checks and knowing the ABCDEs of melanoma—Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter, and Evolving appearance—to detect it early when it is most treatable. Around 112,000 people in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with invasive melanoma this year, with over 8,500 deaths projected, but early detection greatly improves outcomes. Melanoma can develop anywhere on the body, including less obvious places like the mouth, nose, under the nails, and between the toes and fingers.