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Melanoma Screening and Prevention

Learn about expert guidelines for melanoma screening and prevention. Stay up to date by signing up for our community newsletter.

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Can you prevent melanoma?

There are steps that people can take to lower their risk for melanoma, including.

Use sunscreen when you are outside.
Try not to spend too much time in the sun, and avoid getting sunburned.
Wear clothes that cover your skin, like long sleeves and pants. A wide , including covering arms and legs, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
avoiding tanning beds.

It's not possible to completely prevent melanoma, especially for people who are at higher risk. That’s why experts recommend that high-risk people follow screening guidelines.

Types of melanoma screening

Signs of melanoma

Guidelines for high-risk people

More resources

What is melanoma screening?

Screening for melanoma uses tests to try to catch cancer in its early stages, when it is most treatable.

How do you screen for melanoma?

The following types of screening may be recommended for people at high risk for melanoma:

Skin self exams involve a person checking their own skin on a monthly basis to look for changes or abnormalities. Experts recommend training high risk people to perform exams.
Watch moles closely for any signs of change in shape, size, or color.
Dermatologists may take pictures of the skin and moles, known as mole mapping, or full body photography.
Dermatologists examination of moles with a hand-held device known as a dermatoscope.
Ophthalmologic examinations to check for melanoma in the eye.

What are the signs of melanoma?

In addition to screening, it's important for people to know how to identify a suspicious mole. To help you remember the signs of melanoma and identify suspicious moles, use the ABCDE rule.

Asymmetry
Borders that are irregular
multiple Colors
Diameter of over 6 millimeter
Evolving or changing in size, shape or color

You should report any suspicious moles to your doctor.

Article : Life with a high-risk pancreatic and melanoma cancer mutation

Study : Skin cancer among women with an inherited BRCA mutation

Melanoma screening guidelines for high-risk people

Gene	Recommendation
BAP1	Beginning at age 16, annual eye exam. Some experts recommend self-exams to look for skin changes. For people who choose to perform self exams, have your doctor show you what to look for. Have a friend or family member help with hard to see areas of the body and watch moles closely for any signs of change in shape, size, or color. Beginning at age 18, annual exam taking pictures of the skin and moles, known as mole mapping, or full body photography. Any suspicious moles or other skin changes should be removed by a doctor so the tissue can be analyzed under a microscope.
	Perform monthly self-exams to look for skin changes. Have a friend or family member help with hard to see areas of the body. Watch moles closely for any signs of change in shape, size, or color. Beginning at age 10, annual exam with . This may include mole-mapping (full-body photography) and examination with a dermatoscope.
	Schedule an annual exam with a .
	Although no specific guidelines exist for melanoma screening for people with or mutations, general risk management such as an annual full-body skin and eye exam and minimizing UV exposure are considered appropriate.
Source: Lalloo, F., Kulkarni, A., Chau, C. et al. Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and surveillance of BAP1 tumour predisposition syndrome. Eur J Hum Genet 31, 1261–1269 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-023-01448-z; Source: NCCN Guidelines: Genetic/Familial High-Risk Assessment: Breast, Ovarian, Pancreatic, vs. 2 2025.