Melanoma ABCDE

ABCDE criteria for spotting early signs of malignant melanoma


A: Asymmetry

Is the mole oval/round or is it an odd shape? If divided in half, is the mole a mirror image of itself in both halves?

B: Border irregularity

Is the outline smooth or ragged/blurred/notched?

C: Colour change or variability

Is the colour of the mole even all the way through? Does the mole contain shades of black/dark brown/grey/blue/white/red in whole or part?

D: Diameter greater than 6mm or change in diameter

Is the mole larger than the others or atypical in appearance? Has the mole grown?

E: Evolution/Elevation

Is the mole changing over time in size, shape or colour? Is it becoming raised?

There is no score and all points in the list are regarded as suspicious

Not all of them will be malignant melanomas but these criteria can help in selecting suspicious lesions.
For elevation you need evolution – change over time – so this will not mean that all raised moles will need referral if they do not change.


Reference: Pulse Today