New York, NY – Studies have shown that melanomas diagnosed during pregnancy tend to be thicker (and more dangerous) than those in non-pregnant patients. While the occurrence of cancer during pregnancy is rare (affecting approximately one in every 1000 pregnancies), melanoma is the second most common cancer in women aged 20-29, the peak of their childbearing years, and is one of the most common malignancies to occur during pregnancy. Although pregnancy itself does not increase a woman’s risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, a changing mole should not be dismissed as a normal change during pregnancy, since it could be the first sign of melanoma.

“It is imperative that a pregnant woman who notices a mole that is changing in size or appears slightly irregular seek immediate attention from a dermatologist,” says Perry Robins, MD, President of The Skin Cancer Foundation. “Suspicious moles can and should be safely biopsied at any stage of a pregnancy.”

To allow for easy detection, The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends following a few simple steps to spot a suspicious-looking mole:

A stands for Asymmetry – the two sides of the mole do not match
B stands for Border – the borders are uneven
C stands for Color – any change in color or variations in color
D stands for Diameter – moles that are larger in diameter (over ¼ inch or 6mm, the size of a pencil eraser)
E stands for Evolving or Changing – moles that change in size, shape, color or elevation

Patients diagnosed with melanoma during pregnancy may require care from a team of specialists including an obstetrician, dermatologist, surgeon and oncologist. The thickness of a melanoma remains the most important predictor of survival. The thinner the melanoma, the greater the chances are of long-term survival. Make sure to check your skin on a regular basis: conduct a monthly head-to-toe self-exam, and seek a professional skin exam yearly.

Also, be sure to protect your entire body against sun exposure. The Foundation recommends applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 15+, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective glasses whenever you go in the sun. For more information about melanoma and to learn more about how to protect your skin, call 1-800-SKIN-490.