Doctor urges people to do 'ABCDE' checklist if concerned about common type of cancer for adults in 20s

While your risk of developing cancer is typically higher as you get older there is no absolute guarantee that age will protect you.

There are many people who have been unlucky enough to get cancer at a young age, and among the types of cancer that people in their first full decade of adulthood some are more prevalent than others.

One of the more common types to strike people in their 20s is melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer.

According to the NHS, skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer for those aged 15 to 24, with 15 percent of cases in young adults being skin cancer, and is among the most threatening for 25 to 29-year-olds.

The main cause of melanoma is exposure to ultraviolet light, with UV radiation coming from the sun and tanning beds, and while it is more common for older people it is among the more common types of cancer people in their 20s can get.

A lot of people will develop moles on their skin over their life, but telling the difference between a mole and melanoma can be difficult if you don't know what to look out for (Getty Stock Image)

People with paler skin, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes and lots of freckles or moles are more vulnerable to this type of cancer but as is always the case with cancer there's no such thing as a guarantee of safety.

For people wondering if a mark on their skin is actually cancer or just a mole a doctor has said people can use an 'ABCDE' checklist to take a look at it and decide for themselves.

What is the 'ABCDE' checklist?

Dr Anthony Youn explained that you should look out for five things in a mark you fear may be a sign of skin cancer.

He said: "Follow the 'ABCDE' rule. A, asymmetry, B, border irregularity, C, multiple colours, D, diameter greater than a pencil eraser and E, evolving."

In case you're not sure exactly what dimensions to be using when looking at the diameter the doctor said that you should be using 6mm as your guide, and please remember that diameter is the entire span of it from end to end and not the distance between the edge and the middle point.

Other doctors have also recommended the 'ABCDE' checklist, as while we've all got moles on our skin which are basically harmless it's important to tell the difference between a mole and melanoma.

NHS advice to reduce your risk of melanoma involves staying out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, wearing clothing that covers your skin and shields you from UV rays and making proper use of sunscreen.

The same advice went double for children, as their skin is more sensitive to the scorching power of UV than adult skin.

According to Cancer Research UK, around 87 percent of people diagnosed with skin cancer are still alive 10 years later, and while it can affect people in their 20s the most vulnerable to developing it are people in their 80s.