Calling attention to a disease that kills one American every hour. Melanoma however, if detected early, can often be successfully treated.

NYU Langone’s ABCDEs of Melanoma Still a Critical Detection Guide

Over 25 years ago, NYU Langone Medical Center developed the ABCDEs – a melanoma detection guide that provides criteria for diagnosing skin cancer including melanoma. Created by dermatologists at NYU Langone, the ABCDEs are a quick and simple guide for self examination of the skin in order to detect moles that could be cancerous. The ABCDEs for melanoma detection are:

A is for Asymmetry where one-half of the mole is unlike the other.

B is for Border where the mole is irregular, scalloped, or poorly defined.

C is for Color which varies from one area to another or has different shades of tan, brown, black, and sometimes white, red, or blue.

D is for Diameter of a mole when it is bigger than the size of a pencil eraser.

E is for Evolving or changing in size, shape, or color.

Skin Cancer Checks Important for Everyone: Including African-Americans

While uncommon, skin cancer can occur in African-Americans. African-American’s typically do not worry about skin cancer and as a result do not have regular skin cancer screenings. However, dermatologists recommend that African-Americans get annual skin cancer exams and use sunscreen diligently because when skin cancer does occurs within this population the mortality tends to be high due to late detection. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer in African-Americans while basal cell carcinoma is the rarest. Malignant melanoma, the most deadly of the skin cancers, occurs in African-Americans most often on the palms or the soles of the feet. The incidence of melanoma is about 1.1 cases a year for every 100,000 African-Americans.

UVA Radiation Damages DNA in Human Melanocyte Skin Cells – Causing Mutations that Can Lead to Melanoma

A study by researchers at NYU School of Medicine found that UVA radiation damages the DNA in human melanocyte cells, causing mutations that can lead to melanoma. Melanocytes, which contain a substance called melanin that darkens the skin to protect it from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, are more vulnerable to UVA radiation than normal skin cells because they are unable to repair themselves as efficiently.

This is the first time, UVA rays have been shown to cause significant damage to the DNA of human melanocyte skin cells and because melanocytes have a reduced capacity to repair DNA damage from UVA radiation, they mutate more frequently, potentially leading to the development of melanoma. This finding that helps identify the underlying cause of melanoma may allow researchers to develop new ways to assess a person’s risk of melanoma, prevent the disease, and aid in the design of more effective treatments.

NYU Langone Study Investigates Genetic Factorsof Melanoma

NYU Langone is conducting a new study designed to investigate the genetic factors that may predispose patients to develop melanoma. Enrollment in the study includes a short questionnaire, a photograph of their back to assess the number of moles and sun damage to their skin, and a sample of their saliva to collect their DNA. Once enough study samples are collected the DNA of melanoma patients will be compared with the DNA of non-melanoma patients to identify any gene variations.

High Risk for Melanoma: Do You Have a Skin History?

Are you high risk for melanoma? Do you have a significant amount of moles, especially some that are atypical? If so, a new total body photography and mole-mapping tool called MoleSafe may be the best way to be screened fully for melanoma. The technology creates a digital, baseline skin history and allows dermatologists to track any suspicious moles or future changes in your skin over time. NYU Langone was the first academic medical center in the U.S. to use this tool – combining full body photography with the skills of highly qualified dermatologists to diagnose melanoma at the earliest possible stage.

For more information, visit www.nyulmc.org.

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