Quiz – Characteristics of Melanoma

Prevention and early detection are your best defenses against melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. Take our quiz to discover more about its characteristics—where it can hide, what it looks like, and who’s at risk:

1. About 50 percent of melanomas are thought to be caused by exposure to sunlight and UV light.

A. True
B. False

2. Before age 50, the risk of melanoma is higher for ____.  After age 50, the risk is higher for ____.

A. Men/Women
B. Women/Men
C. Neither, it is about the same for men and women

3. Though African-Americans have the lowest lifetime risk, the survival rates for those who are diagnosed with melanoma have shown to be among the lowest as well.

A. True
B. False

4. When melanomas occur in people with darker skin, they are more likely to be found:

A. On the palms of the hands
B. Soles of the feet
C. Under the nails
D. All of the above

5. The symmetry of a mole is insignificant in melanoma detection.

A. True
B. False

6. Having _____ puts you at risk for developing melanoma.

A. Fair skin, light hair, and freckles
B. A weakened immune system from certain medications
C. A family history of melanoma
D. A lot of birthdays
E. All of the above

Answers:

1. B. False. It is actually closer to 90 percent. Sunburns and use of tanning beds also significantly increase a person’s melanoma risk.

2. B. Women/Men. Overall, however, men have a higher rate of developing melanoma than women.

3. A. True. Research has shown that a larger percentage of African-Americans are not diagnosed until the cancer is in advanced stages, which is often fatal.

4. D. All of the above. Most people are unaware that these non-sun-exposed or unusual areas can develop melanoma, especially in those with darker skin.

5. B. False. If one half of a mole doesn’t match the other half (i.e. asymmetrical), this could be a sign of melanoma. Other factors of a mole that needs examination is an irregular border, different colors within the mole, a large diameter, or if the size, shape, or color changes from its usual form.

6. E. All of the above. While these risk factors can’t be modified, your exposure to sun can. Wear a shirt, hat, and sunglasses when you’re outside. Use sunscreen liberally! Remember that even when you have shade such as an umbrella, UV light can still reflect off of sand and water surfaces. 

 This quiz was developed with the assistance of Dana Coleman BSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Special Services Manager, Oncology Nurse Navigator & Melanographer at the Nancy N. & J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.