Melanoma Skin Cancer ABCDE Warning Signs from a Memphis Dermatologist

18 hours ago
5 min read

Cordova Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (08/30/2026)

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury doing a Melanoma scan on a young male patient — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury doing a Melanoma Skin Cancer Screening 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 raised awareness that early detection leads to early treatment, saving lives.

Melanoma on a man's forehead showing dark Color and various hues of brown — Melanoma Skin Cancer on a male patient's forehead

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.

Dermatologist checking for the ABCDE warning signs of Melanoma on a male patient's back — Dermatologist doing a Skin Cancer Screening on a male patient's back

\ 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 ….

Partner doing a Melanoma Skin Cancer Screening on a male patient's back — Summer and Fall are a great time to do your own Skin Cancer Screening because many of us are more undressed

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.

Skin Cancer is not just an issue for senior citizens because it can occur at all ages — Melanoma can affect all ages and both men and women

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 on a patient's back with different Colors within — A classic Melanoma with a dark Color 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. 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 with a dark Color and different hues of brown within — Melanoma on a patient's forehead showing different Colors and an irregular Border

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

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury talking with a female patient about Melanoma Skin Cancer warning signs — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counsels a young female patient about the importance of Skin Cancer Screening

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 can affect even people in their twenties and thirties — Understanding the Melanoma Crisis Scarlet's Story is a video on Youtube about 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 counseling a young male patient about Melanoma — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury doing a Skin Cancer Screening on a young male patient

I have practiced as a Memphis Dermatologist these last over 33 years 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!

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury working with patients regarding Melanoma Skin Cancer — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury counseling patients about Melanoma

After 25 years of practicing dermatology, in 2016 I decided to establish a skincare products company - Big River Silk Skincare™ Inc. – to manufacture and distribute certain cleansers and moisturizers for people with Acne and Sun Damage. We manufacture and distribute organic skincare products for people going onto prescription therapies. I incorporated cleansers and moisturizers that the Woodbury family of Dermatologists has used for many years for Tennessee Dermatology patients: AmberSoy™ Soap Gel, and GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion, as well as GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Lotion.

Cordova Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff — Memphis Dermatologist Dr. George Woodbury with Big River Silk Skincare staff

AmberSoy Soap Gel is available in No Fragrance Added, Lemon, and Mint — AmberSoy Soap Gel is a Best Acne Wash due to its soft glycerine composition

AmberSoy Soap Gel is a great acne cleanser option for people with oily or combination skin. It can be used as a type of face mask, wherein it’s applied to the skin, then left on for 5-10 minutes. Available in 1 oz ($14.95), 2 oz ($22.95), and 8 oz ($74.95), it is a soft glycerine cleanser with no dyes, formaldehyde, nor propylene glycol, suitable for use as a face and/or back mask, to leave on the skin for 5-10 minutes before rinsing away.

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion can be used once or twice a day as an exfoliating moisturizer or exfoliant due to its alpha hydroxy acid — GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion has both Shea Butter and Glycolic Acid making it into a best anti-aging cream

GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion is a helpful fragrance-free exfoliating moisturizer that acts as a face scrub, due to its Glycolic Acid, an AHA or Alpha hydroxy Acid originally discovered in pineapple. It also helps to even out the appearance of fine lines in the skin, making it into an antiwrinkle cream. 1 oz ($39.95), 2 oz ($59.95), and 8 oz ($179.95).

Big River Silk Skincare’s AmberSoy Soap Gel and GlycoShea Facial&Neck Lotion are available for over-the-counter purchase at our headquarters, 8143 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova TN 38018, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can also be ordered at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com (shipping: $7.50 for orders under $70.00; $10.00 handling and shipping for Canadian orders under $100.00). 1-901-753-0168.