In honor of Melanoma Day, New York City doctors are providing tips on how New Yorkers can take their skin care seriously in efforts to avoid melanoma.  

While it is important to avoid sunburn, doctors say that’s only half of the battle.  

Doctors recommend using the ABCDE rule to determine if a skin blemish is cancerous or not. The rule stands for asymmetrical, border, color, diameter, and evolving – those five characteristics help to differentiate between a problematic growth and an everyday freckle or mole.  

"Melanoma usually happens in people with lighter skin, but it can happen to people with any kind of skin, even with people with darker skin,” said Dr. Jennifer Stein of NYU Langone.

Stein also says it’s important to wear sunscreen no matter the weather or season, and that checking your skin regularly helps to make sure you notice any signs of melanoma in time.