ABCDE-EFG method for assessing moles

Skin cancer screening and patient education are necessary aspects in identifying potential skin cancers and providing early intervention. The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends that patients perform regular skin self-exams. Teach patients the ABCED-EFG method for assessing moles as described below.

ABCDE

Doctors and patients can use the ABCDE method when screening for melanoma. A mole showing any of the next symptoms ought to be referred for further examination and/or biopsy (Swetter and Geller, 2021):

• ANDsymmetry: if the lesion is cut in half, one side will not be an identical to the opposite; it could be higher on one side, have a distinct texture or color
• Birregularity and bleeding: jagged edges, tails, bleeding or ulceration are signs of melanoma
• Ccolor variation: 2 or 3 colours present or unevenly distributed
• Ddiameter: greater than or equal to six mm
• to mevolving: any change in the dimensions, shape or color of a mole over weeks or months

EFG

EFG has been added to assist detect aggressive nodular melanomas.

• to melifted up
• Ffor palpation
• Growing regularly over several weeks

Bickley, L. S., Szilagyi, P. G., Hoffman, R. M., & Soriano, R. P. (2021). Bate’s guide to physical examination and interviewing (thirteenth ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health: Philadelphia.

Garcia-Lozano, J. A., Salerni, G., Cuellar-Barboza, A., the Heron, J., and Ocampo-Candiani, J. (2019). Rapid dermoscopic changes in nodular melanoma. ,(1),e2020016. https://doi.org/10.5826/dpc.1001a16

Swetter, S., & Geller, A. (2021, February 22). Melanoma: clinical features and diagnosis. . https://www.uptodate.com/contents/melanoma-clinical-features-and-diagnosis