In the ABCDEs of assessing skin cancer, what does the "B" stand for?

The "B" in the ABCDEs of assessing skin cancer stands for "Border irregularity." This criterion helps to evaluate moles or lesions for signs of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. When assessing a mole, the border should be smooth and even. If the edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred, this may indicate a potential problem. The irregularity of the border is significant because melanomas often have uneven edges, while benign moles typically exhibit regular and symmetrical borders. Understanding this characteristic is essential for early detection, as changes in the border may suggest malignant transformation that warrants further investigation. Recognizing border irregularity is a key part of the ABCDE methodology in skin cancer screening and encourages timely medical evaluation when such features are present.