Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US with 1 in 5 Americans being diagnosed in their lifetime. Therefore it is very important to have a full skin exam done by a dermatologist every year to identify possible cancers, treat pre-cancers such as actinic keratosis, and to follow any atypical moles you may have.
You can use ABCDE to help identify skin cancer. A is for a mole or spot that is asymmetrical. B is for if the borders of the spot are irregular. C is for changes in color, or if the color is not uniform or even throughout the mole. D is for if the diameter is getting larger or growing. E is for evolving or if that spot is different from the rest or changing.
Signs that are concerning include if a spot is growing, changing shape, bleeding or itching. If it is caught early and removed, skin cancer has a high cure rate.