Spotting Melanoma and Skin Cancer from a Memphis Dermatologist

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. Cordova Dermatologist 02/09/2025

Memphis Dermatologist helping Cordova TN patient with a Skin Cancer Screening for Melanoma — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury doing a Skin Cancer Screening

Skin Cancer including Melanoma takes the lives of upwards of 20,000 Americans every year. That’s about one person every 26 minutes. The good news is that early detection leads to early treatment. Let’s take a look at the five Key Melanoma Facts that Dermatologists like myself use to help educate our patients, potentially saving lives through early detection of Skin Cancer.

Board-certified Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counseling a Memphis Dermatology patient about Melanoma — Cordova Dermatologist Dr. Woodbury talks with a Memphis Dermatology patient about Skin Cancer Warning Signs

First Fact: you’ve got to look for Skin Cancer to detect Skin Cancer. Dermatologists like myself have long known that many Melanomas are first spotted by a concerned family member who inspects loved ones, detecting a changing growth or mole and getting the patient to the prompt attention of a Dermatologist. So to spot a suspicious growth early, you do need to get your family members pretty much completely undressed, at least once a month, for a home inspection, for a Skin Cancer Screening, because

Closeup inspection in a Skin Cancer Screening will often reveal clues to Atypical Moles — Atypical Mole closeup view

Second Fact: Skin Cancer, including Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma, and Squamous Cell Carcinoma, occurs occur on all parts of the body, the most common location for Melanoma for women being the upper leg, and for men being their backs, but significant lesions can really occur on any part of the body.

Dermatologists doing a Skin Cancer Sceening by carefully inspecting the skin — Board-certified Dermatoloist doing a Skin Cancer Screening

Years ago, we Dermatologists taught that certain people being “high risk” for Skin Cancer: redheads, blonds, those who freckle easily, or those who love the sun or who have a history of severe sunburns. “Low risk” people were those who routinely wear sunscreen, avoid the sun and tanning salon bulbs, or who tan easily.

Melanoma comes from a cancer of the pigment-producing cells or Melanocytes — The patient above has the Melanoma type of Skin Cancer on his forehead

Third Fact: Really everyone’s at risk of skin cancer. Many Skin Cancers occur in brunettes of in people who tan rather than burn. In fact, African-Americans and Latinos tend to be diagnosed much later, leading to a higher fatality rate. So everyone could benefit from a Skin Cancer Screening at least once a month at home, and at least once a year with a Dermatologist!

Melanoma tends to occur on the legs in women and the back in men — Dermatologist doing an inspection for Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Fourth Fact: Skin Cancer affects more than just senior citizens. In fact, the median age for development of Melanoma is 52 years old. That means that half of the people developing Melanoma are younger than 52. The youngest patient whom I as a Memphis Dermatologist have diagnosed with Melanoma over the last 33 years was a fifth grader: 10 years old! So don’t forget to inspect your kids. Data shows that several thousand people under the age of 20 develop Melanoma in the U.S. each year, including several hundred below the age of 12.

This Melanoma has dark Color and an irregular Border — Closeup view of a Melanoma on a person's forehead

Fifth Fact: Know the A, B, C, D, E warning signs for Skin Cancer. These are rules of thumb for recognizing significant lesions or growths, first described by Dr. Al Kopf and Dr.Darrell Rigel of New York University’s Department of Dermatology:

A stands for Asymmetry: one half of the lesion does not match the other half.

B stands for Border: a jagged border, perhaps like the coast of Maine, rather than of Florida.

C stands for Color change: different hues of brown or black within the lesion, or one mole that’s a darker color than the person’s other moles.

D stands for an increasing Diameter of the lesion.

E stands for Evolving: if the lesion is changing, it’s best to bring it to the attention of a Dermatologist.

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with a patient talking about Skin Cancer — Memphis Dermatologic Surgeon Dr. George Woodbury counsels a patient about Melanoma

We know what action to take for suspicious moles or growths: if caught early, generally a simple removal, or “excision” of the lesion under local anesthetic is curative. If the lesion turns out to be a precancerous lesion – such as a high-risk atypical mole – or a full-fledged skin cancer – a Dermatologic Surgeon like myself often tries to ensure that the lesion is completely out – by doing what’s called a “reexcision.”

Melanoma often occurs in new growths but can develop out of inborn lesions called congenital moles — Closeup view of a Melanoma with Color variations and an irregular Border

For more helpful tips and photos of melanoma, go to the Skin Cancer Foundation website: skincancer.org.

Melanoma can occur even in people in their teens or twenties — Scarlet Akins developed Melanoma while pregnant

My own Memphis Dermatology practice sponsored a short Youtube movie on Melanoma about a beautiful young lady named Scarlet Akins, a 28-year-old woman studying to be a teacher at Ole Miss who discovered a changing spot on her knee when she was about two months from delivering her daughter. Check out her moving story on Youtube: “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story.”

Memphis Dermatologist discussing Melanoma and Skin Cancer with patients in his Cordova TN office — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury in his Cordova Dermatology office

I have practiced as a Memphis Dermatologist these last 31 years is with Rheumatology and Dermatology Associates, Cordova, TN (1-901-753-0168; wwwRheumderm.com). You can find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” by going to the American Academy of Dermatology web site, AAD.org, then simply plugging your zip code into the “Find a Dermatologist” tab.

So see spot. See spot change. See a Dermatologist!

Skin Cancer tends to be more common among men on their backs — Couple discussing doing a Skin Cancer Screening on thier own

George Woodbury Jr. M.D.

02/09/2025

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