How to check your moles for skin cancer

Moles, for many of us, are black/brown patches on our skin, which, most of the time, hardly even catches our attention. They differ in number, shape and size and appear on most people. On average, an adult has up to 30 moles which may be perfectly placed beauty spots as in the case of Cindy Crawford or Mariah Carey! Most are benign, though sometimes unsightly and bothersome but some can change into potentially deadly cancers.

The term mole or melanocytic nevus can occur anywhere on the skin, including the scalp, ears, eyes, lips, genital area, palms of the hands and even soles of the feet. They may be black, brown, reddish-brown, blue or even skin coloured and may be perfectly flat or raised. They may darken on exposure to sun or during pregnancy. The number of moles increases during puberty but may reduce in old age. Moles can differ in size, shape and appearance bumpy, smooth, flat, protruding or even hairy but they usually have clean edges and are symmetrical. Most moles appear in the first 3 decades of a person’s life.

Mole or naevus occurs when cells in the skin grow in a cluster instead of being spread throughout the skin. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the developing foetus makes melanocytes the special cells that make the pigment melanin to give the skin its natural colour. These clusters are generally spread evenly throughout the skin. Sometimes, random areas acquire a cluster which can grow into a mole. The colour of a mole depends on how deep the cluster of cells resides within the skin.

What are factors are responsible for the development of a mole?

Congenital nevi: Congenital nevi are moles that appear at birth or shortly after. They occur in about 1 in 100 people and are often referred to as birthmarks. They can be hairy and are classified based on their size. They can develop into melanomas and the risk of melanoma transformation increases with increasing size of the mole. Therefore, they should be kept under close supervision. It should be noted, however, that congenital naevi increase in size proportionally as the child grows.

Exposure to sun: Sunlight can act as a catalyst for the development of or changes in a mole. Any exposure to the sun during childhood can potentially increase the risk of developing melanoma later in life. Although it is more common for sun-exposed skin to have more moles, it is not uncommon for moles to occur in covered sites such as the soles and genital region.

Genetics: Moles can run in families and these can be darker and larger in size than average moles. Sometimes described as atypical moles, these moles require regular checks and sometimes removal.

Hormonal changes: Moles can change during pregnancy. New moles can appear. Existing moles can change colour and size.

Do you know how to correctly check your moles?

With May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month and summer just around the corner, we wanted to remind you about the importance of monitoring your skin health.

As the sun becomes stronger and we spend more time outdoors, it's crucial to be aware of any changes to our skin, especially when it comes to our moles. By regularly examining your moles and being mindful of any changes, you can detect potential issues early on and seek medical help.

Check your moles with ABCDE

A - Asymmetry: Healthy moles are typically symmetrical, meaning one half mirrors the other. If you notice any irregularities or if one half of a mole looks different from the other, it could be a cause for concern.