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Malignant melanomas are skin cancers that can spread rapidly through your body and kill you. For many years we have been told to watch existing moles for changes that may signal a melanoma, but a new review of 38 studies covering 20,126 melanomas shows that fewer than 30 percent of melanomas are found on moles (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, August 29, 2017). More than 70 percent of melanomas show up on previously normal skin. They may look like a new mole or may not even be easily visible. This new information means that you should check your skin often and have any change examined immediately by a dermatologist, in addition to your yearly or more frequent regular check-up.