Melanoma Monday 2025: Why 1% of Skin Cancers Kill the Most
Melanoma is a tiny slice of all skin cancers and by far the deadliest — here's the early-warning checklist worth memorizing this Melanoma Monday.
Melanoma Monday 2025 highlighted that melanoma is about 1% of all skin cancers yet causes over 80% of skin cancer deaths, with the American Cancer Society projecting roughly 8,430 melanoma deaths in 2025.
Dermatology groups stress that melanoma's danger comes from its tendency to spread, so the priority is catching changes early using self-exams and the ABCDE rule, backed by regular professional skin checks.
Questions we get a lot
Why is melanoma so much deadlier than other skin cancers?
Melanoma is far more likely to spread (metastasize) to other organs than the much more common basal and squamous cell carcinomas. That is why it accounts for only about 1% of skin cancers yet causes the large majority of skin cancer deaths. Catching it early, before it spreads, is the single biggest factor in survival.
What is the ABCDE checklist?
ABCDE is a self-screening guide for suspicious moles: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter larger than a pencil eraser, and Evolving (changing) appearance. Any mole showing these features is worth showing to a dermatologist. It is a screening aid, not a diagnosis.
When is Melanoma Monday and what is it for?
Melanoma Monday is held on the first Monday of May and has been an American Academy of Dermatology observance since 1995. It is meant to raise awareness of skin cancer prevention and early detection. In 2025 it served as a reminder to schedule skin checks and learn the warning signs.
r/SkincareAddiction: 'I have a mole that looks a little uneven — what counts as 'evolving' on the ABCDE list and when should I actually see someone?'