The importance of early detection of melanoma cannot be overstated. When melanoma is found and treated early, the chances for long-term survival are excellent. Five-year survival rates for patients with early-stage (Stage I) melanoma exceed 90 to 95%. As melanoma progresses, it becomes increasingly more devastating and deadly. In later-stage disease, 5-year survival rates drop to less than 50%.1 The good news is that with early detection, survival rates have improved steadily in recent years, and 85% of diagnosed patients enjoy long-term survival after simple tumor surgery. 2

The first sign of melanoma is often a change in the size, shape, or color of an existing mole or the appearance of a new mole. Since the vast majority of primary melanomas are visible on the skin, there is a good chance of detecting the disease in its early stages.

You can play a vital role in early detection of melanoma through:

• Skin self-examination

• Regular physical examinations, including a skin examination

• A free annual skin cancer screening, available in many parts of the country

Melanoma - A type of cancer that arises in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Melanoma occurs most often in the skin but may also develop in the eye or in the lining of the nose, mouth, or genitals. Melanoma is the least common but the most deadly skin cancer, accounting for only about 4% of all cases but 79% of skin cancer deaths