Melanoma Monday: How to detect skin cancer

Summer is approaching, that means more time in the sun with our bathing suits on and more skin exposed. And unfortunately, the more we expose our skin to the sun, the greater our risk of developing skin cancer.

That's why the American Academy of Dermatologists designated May as Skin Cancer Awareness Month, complete with educational tools, tips, and a Twitter hashtag: #LookingGoodin2016. There's even a catchy name for the month's first weekday: Melanoma Monday.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Roughly one in five Americans will develop it at some point. The most deadly form is melanoma. Here are five warning signs that you can look for:

ASYMMETRY: One half is unlike the other half.

BORDER: Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

COLOR: Varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.

DIAMETER: While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

EVOLVING: A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.

If detected early, Melanoma can be effectively treated. To learn more about skin cancer and find a FREE skin cancer screening, visit SpotSkinCancer.org.