This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
It's Melanoma Monday - Time to Check Your Moles
The Dermatology Industry have developed a genius way of getting people to think about their moles. Not the ones in their lawns, or the ones they wack, but the ones on their noggins and faces and chins and necks and backs and whereever.
The first Monday in May is Melanoma Monday when we should all go and get our moles checked out to see how they're doing. Because sometimes you little accent of personality can turn into a cancerous timebomb tick tock ticking on your face.
Dermatology Doctor dot com sez:
Melanoma Monday and National Skin Examination Day are traditionally the first Monday in May. This event, sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology, helps raise public awareness about Malignant Melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer and encourage early detection through screening. Malignant Melanoma arises from skin growths known as nevi, or “moles” as they are more commonly known. The vast majority of moles are visible on the skin, and brown in color. Rarely, moles may be pink or red, (amelanotic) and there are even moles which can be hidden internally, such as at the back of the eye.
Fortunately, moles don’t change into Melanoma overnight. Gradually moles will go through a series of changes (some faster than others) known as dysplasia. The greater the degree of dysplasia, the more likely the mole may turn into melanoma.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
