Because there’s never been a better reason to check yourself.

In Australia, two out of three people will be diagnosed with skin cancer before they turn 70. The most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma.

Sara Andreasson / Via saraandreasson.tumblr.com

An even scarier fact? Melanoma and other skin cancers kill more than 2000 Australians each year.

As with most types of cancer, the early detection of skin cancer is the best way to avoid surgery, disfigurement or death.

Via giphy.com

Lucky for all skin-owners, Cancer Council Australia have published the ABCD melanoma detection guide, to help you monitor your own skin, by looking out for these signs of melanoma.

A is for asymmetry

"An asymmetrical mole can be a sign of cancerous growth, particularly in melanomas," Dr Patricia Lowe, Honorary Secretary of the Australasian College of Dermatologists and an advisor to Cancer Council Australia tells BuzzFeed Life.

While not all types of skin cancer are asymmetrical, it's still worth noting whether yours is an irregular shape. The best way to determine symmetry? Draw a line down the centre of your mole and check if each side mirrors the other or not. If the sides are uneven, your mole is asymmetrical.

Via cancer.org.au

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