May is National Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, and the first Monday of May—this year, that’s May 5—is designated as Melanoma Monday. Free screenings take place throughout the U.S. on various dates in May and June to spot suspicious moles. Click here to go to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) website and locate a free screening near you. Then promise yourself to wear sunscreen, especially now that summer’s coming. If left alone, melanoma becomes deadly.

“When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable,” says board-certified dermatologist and AAD President Brett M. Coldiron, MD, FAAD. “Despite this, many people don’t know how to be their own detective when it comes to skin cancer, including what to look for on their skin or when they should see a dermatologist.”

To increase people’s chances of spotting skin cancer early, the Academy recommends everyone learn the ABCDE rule, which outlines the warning signs of melanoma:

A – Asymmetry. One half of the mole does not match the other half.
B – Border irregularity. The edges are ragged, notched or blurred.
C – Color. The color varies from one area to another.
D – Diameter. While melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
E – Evolving. A mole or skin lesion looks different from the rest on your body or is changing in size, shape or color.

“Although skin cancer is more common among people with light or fair skin, everyone is at risk of getting this life-threatening disease,” Coldiron notes. “If you see anything on your skin that is changing, itching or bleeding, you should make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist.”

What You Can Do

First, take care of yourself. Be wary of that beautiful sun!

“Ultraviolet rays from the sun cause mutations which can lead to skin cancer,” says City of Hope dermatologist Jae Jung, M.D., Ph.D. “Every melanoma patient I have seen under the age of 40 has had a sun tanning history.” Jung suggests a multifaceted approach to sun avoidance: seek shade between 10am and 3pm, apply and reapply sunscreen and cover up with hats and clothing. This goes for your children as well.

As their beauty advisor, you can help your clients, too—just by being observant. As you work on their hair, look for any abnormalities on the scalp. Check the client’s face, and check out any bare skin such as arms and legs. If you notice anything unusual, bring it to the client’s attention. Do a little research to develop a list of board-certified dermatologists in your neighborhood.

Is there training for this just for hair pros? Yes!

1. Salon Stylist Education Program. In the June issue of MODERN SALON, you’ll read about Jennifer Miller, owner of two salons in Indianapolis—A Do Hair Design and Adorn Spa and Boutique. Miller, 40, was treated for early melanoma while in her mid-30s. She was pregnant when she noticed the mole. After her treatment, first she became active in Outrun the Sun, which raises awareness about melanoma. Next, Miller wanted to get the salon community involved in the conversation, so she created the Salon Stylist Education Program to teach stylists how to recognize potentially malignant moles on clients’ scalps. To receive a kit from the Salon Stylist Education Program, click here to email Jennifer Miller.

2. The Skinny on Skin. Developed by the Melanoma Foundation of New England, The Skinny on Skin holds workshops to educate beauty professionals in detecting and preventing melanoma of the head and neck. To promote it, the program states: “Hair styles change. Changing a life lasts forever.” For information, go to mfne.org.