Healthy skin centre

Moles and skin cancer screening

When it comes to your health and skin cancer, it's a good idea to be proactive and keep an eye on moles. Moles can be linked to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

There is much you can do yourself. In addition to limiting your exposure to sunlight and using sunscreens, examining yourself for moles and changes in moles can reduce your chances of developing melanoma and allow for early detection and treatment. This applies particularly if you already have moles on your body, if you have large numbers of moles, or if you have a family history of skin cancer linked to moles. You should also check yourself regularly if you are fair-skinned, have a tendency to freckle or burn in the sun, or have abnormal moles.

Skin cancer self-screening schedule

If you or a close relative have moles, you should examine your body regularly. Most moles are benign (non-cancerous). The only moles of medical concern are those that look different from other existing moles or those that first appear after the age of 20.

If you notice changes in a mole's colour or appearance, you should show the mole to your GP. You should also have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful. If your GP is in doubt about your mole, he or she will probably refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist).

What should I look for when examining my moles?

Examine your skin with a mirror if you cannot see the moles directly. Pay close attention to areas of your skin that are often exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, chest and head. If your moles do not change over time, you needn’t be concerned.

The following ABCDEs are important signs of moles that could be skin cancer. If a mole displays any of the signs listed below, have it checked immediately by your GP:

• Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other half
• Border: the border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred or irregular
• Colour: the mole has different colours or it has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white or red
• Diameter: the diameter of the mole is larger than 6mm
• Elevation: the mole appears elevated (raised from the skin)

You should always be suspicious of a new mole or an existing mole that increases in size. If you do notice a new mole, see your GP as soon as possible. If your GP is suspicious of it, you will probably be referred to a dermatologist. Your mole will be closely examined and a skin biopsy may be taken. If it's skin cancer, a biopsy can show how deeply it has penetrated the skin. Your dermatologist needs this information to decide how to treat the mole.

The most common location for melanoma in men is the back; in women, it is the lower leg.