Melanoma Monday Saves Lives from Skin Cancer from a Memphis Dermatologist

May 3
5 min read

by George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (05/03/2026)

Cordova Dermatologist checking male patient for Melanoma Symptoms — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury does a Skin Cancer Screening to check for Malignant Melanoma on a young male patient

Skin Cancer including Melanoma takes the lives of upwards of 20,000 Americans every year. That’s about one person every 26 minutes. So the American Academy of Dermatology has established Melanoma Monday as a way of raising awareness that early detection leads to early treatment.

Dermatologist checking for Malignant Melanoma on a young man's back — Dermatologist doing a Skin Cancer Screening on a young man's back to check for Melanoma Skin cancer

So let’s take a look at What is Melanoma, at Melanoma symptoms and Skin Cancer symptoms, and at the abcde Melanoma Warning Signs, my perspective being that of a Board-certified Memphis Dermatologist in practice in Cordova TN since 1993.

Melanoma Skin Cancer on a patient's back — Photo of a Melanoma on a patient's back demonstrating the different Colors and the dark Color of Malignant Melanoma

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

Image of a Melanoma on a patient's back showing different Colors and an irregular Border — Image of Melanoma skin Cancer on a patient's back

Second Fact: Skin Cancer occurs occur on all parts of the body, the most common location for Melanoma for women being the upper leg, and for men being the back, but significant lesions occur on any part of the body.

Multiethnic children at a swimming pool hopefully with ample amounts of Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with an SPF of over 30 — Multiethnic children all of whom are at risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer

Years ago, we Dermatologists taught that certain people being “high risk” for skin cancer: redheads, blondes, those who freckle easily, or those who love the sun or who have a history of severe sunburns, or who use UV rays at tanning parlors. “Low risk” people were those who routinely wear sunscreen, avoid the sun and tanning salon bulbs, or who tan easily, but really everyone’s at risk of skin cancer. Bob Marley was an Afro-Caribbean Reggae singer who died of Melanoma at the age of 35 – developing within a spot on his toe.

Melanoma occurring on a man's forehead as a type of Skin Cancer with a dark Color — Melanoma on a man's forehead showing different Colors and an irregular Border

Third 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. Do your own Skin Cancer Screening. 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.

Melanoma Skin Cancer on a patient's back showing an irregular Border — Melanoma on a person's back showing different Colors and dark Color

Fourth Fact: Know the A, B, C, D, E warning signs for Skin Cancer, also called the abcde Melanoma signs. 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.

Memphis Dermatologist discussing Skin Cancer with a young male patient — Cordova Dermatologist discussing Melanoma with a young male patient

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.”

Young woman with blonde hair on her wedding day who would be considered high risk for Melanoma due to her history of UV light exposure and fair skin — Scarlet Akins on the day of her wedding before being diagnosed with Melanoma

For more helpful tips and photos of melanoma, go to the Skin Cancer Foundation website: skincancer.org. As well, 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: “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story.”

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury discussing Skin Cancer with a young female patient — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury discusses Melanoma with a young female patient

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.

Young couple doing their own Skin Cancer Screening at home to detect Melanoma early when it's curable — Young woman counseling young man on his need to see a Dermatologist without delay

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

George Woodbury Jr. M.D.

05/03/2026

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff explaining Glycolic Acid in Antiwrinkle Cream GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

In 2016, I because President of Big River Silk™ Skincare Inc. , incorporating 25 years of my own Memphis Dermatology practice into the development, manufacture, and distribution of anti-wrinkle cream and lotion containing Glycolic Acid, an Alpha Hydroxy Acid - GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Lotion – with Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid – helpful for Keratosis pilaris and dry rough skin.

Young couple applying Alpha Hydroxy Acid in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion for its Antiwrinkle Cream effect — Young couple applying Glycolic Acid in GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion

We also manufacture a special soap for people with acne seeking an acne cleanser or complexion cleanser: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, and two versions of a specially gentle hand and/or face moisturizer: HypoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion and HypoShea™ Facial&Neck Cream.

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is an Exfoliant or an Exfoliating Moisturizer due to its Glycolic Acid — GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion contains Glycolic Acid for its Anriwrinkle Cream effect

All products of Big River Silk Skincare can be purchased either on site, at 8143 Walnut Grove, Cordova TN 38018 (1-901-753-0168) Monday-Friday, or ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com ($7.50 Shipping and Handling for orders under $75.00 for U.S. orders – or $125.00 for Canadian orders; otherwise free USPS shipping and handling). Check us out at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com.

05/03/2026