Melanoma Skin Cancer Symptoms from a Memphis Dermatologist
- George Woodbury
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
by Cordova Dermatologist George Woodbury Jr. M.D. (10/12/2025)
First Fact: you’ve got to look for Skin Cancer to detect Skin Cancer. Dermatologists like myself have long known that many Melanomas are first spotted by a concerned family member who inspects loved ones, detecting a changing growth or mole and getting the patient to the prompt attention of a Board-certified Dermatologist. So to spot a suspicious growth early, you do need to get your family members pretty much completely undressed, at least once a month, for a home inspection, because …
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. Remember that significant lesions can really occur on any part of the body.
Years ago, we Dermatologists taught that certain people being “high risk” for skin cancer: redheads, blonds, those who freckle easily, or those who love the sun or who have a history of severe sunburns. “Low risk” people were those who routinely wear sunscreen, avoid the sun and tanning salon bulbs, or who tan easily.
Third Fact: Really everyone’s at risk of skin cancer. Many Skin Cancers occur in brunettes or in people who tan rather than burn. In fact, African-Americans and Latinos tend to be diagnosed much later, leading to a higher fatality rate. So everyone could benefit from a Skin Cancer Screening at least once a month at home, and at least once a year with a Dermatologist!
Fourth 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.
The fellow in the photo below has a Melanoma on his forehead:
Below is a closeup of this same Melanoma, with Asymmetry and different Colors.
Fifth Fact: Know the A, B, C, D, E Melanoma warning signs or the ABCDE Melanoma warning signs and Skin Cancer warning signs or Skin Cancer symptoms. 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.
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 dysplastic nevus - 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.”
A Dermatologic Surgeon like myself will sometimes use what’s called Mohs Surgery or Mohs Micrographic Surgery to check that the margins of the specimen are free of visible skin cancer.
My own Memphis Dermatology practice sponsored a short 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. Check out her moving story on Youtube: “Understanding the Melanoma Crisis: Scarlet’s Story."
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). Or you can find a “Best Dermatologist Near Me” or “Best Dermatologists 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!
George Woodbury Jr. M.D.
10/12/2025
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 a gentle Refined Shea Butter moisturizer – now available in three varieties - HypoShea Moisturizer Lotion, HypoShea Moisturizer Cream, and HypoShea Moisturizer Oil ($14.95 for 1 oz/$22.95 for 2 oz/$74.95 for 8 oz: free USPS shipping for orders over $75.00/otherwise $7.50 for shipping and handling). HypoShea is a beautiful line because it uses an organic moisturizer from an African tree – called Shea Butter – blended with some of the purest natural water in the United States – from the Memphis Sands aquifer.
Big River Silk™ Skincare also manufactures two anti-wrinkle creams - GlycoShea™ Facial&Neck Lotion and GlycoShea™ Hand&Body Lotion – with Alpha Hydroxy Acid Glycolic Acid – helpful for Keratosis pilaris and dry rough skin.
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Big River Silk Skincare also manufactures a helpful soft glycerine cleanser – AmberSoy Soap Gel - for people with oily skin or combination skin – which could be used as a cleanser as part of a prescription Acne treatment plan like an Acne Wash designed by a Dermatologist.
Check Big River Silk Skincare’s offerings out at www.Bigriversilkskincare.com.
George Woodbury Jr. M.D.
President of Big River Silk Skincare Inc.
8143 Walnut Grove Road
Cordova TN 38018
1-901-753-0168 Info@rheumderm.com
10/12/2025
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