MOLE CHECK

Mole examinations should be done regularly because they increase the chances of early skin cancer or melanoma discovery. Regular checks are essential if the patient has a family history of skin cancer or if their moles change in shape, size or color. The patient learns their moles and can inform the dermatologist if new moles are appearing. Generally, it is advisable to protect the skin with high SPF and have regular mole checks to maintain skin health. In the end, the patient should have regular mole checks to ensure their skin is healthy and prevent any unwanted mole changes.

How It Works

WHAT TYPES OF MOLES EXIST?

Moles are medically called melanocytic naevus. When skin cells or melanocytes build up, they appear on the skin’s surface. Melanocytes are responsible for producing the pigment or melanin that gives the skin its color. These skin cells are the reason why moles are brown. Moles start to appear at the age of 5 and mainly occur during puberty. Generally, adults have about 30 moles all over their bodies. As the person gets older, they may start to lose moles.

There are different types of moles:

  • Raised or compound moles
  • Flat or junctional moles
  • Flashy or intradermal moles
  • Atypical or dysplastic moles
  • Cancerous or melanoma moles

Moles are different in size, color and shape. Typical moles are symmetrical, well defined and even in color. Sometimes moles can have hair growing through them. With time, moles may start to lose their color and get fleshy. 

Dysplastic moles resemble melanoma moles, but they are generally benign. They are irregularly shaped and colored and can be more significant than 5 mm. They are harmless but can turn into melanoma, so it’s vital to check them regularly or remove them if the dermatologist recommends so. 

Generally, all moles are benign unless they change in color, shape or size. 

Moles appear on almost all people, even babies. People with fair skin can have more moles than those with darker skin. Pregnant ladies tend to get new moles or their present moles can get darker. 

WHY ARE MOLE CHECKS IMPORTANT?

Skin is the largest and most visible organ and it can be easily checked and kept healthy. With regular mole checks, people can prevent skin cancer or treat it on time. People with fair skin should check their moles more often, as well as people with many moles on their bodies, have a previous history of melanoma, or have family members with atypical moles. 

It is vital to check all newly appeared moles and the ones that

  • Look uneven and change their shape
  • Became darker or have more than 2 colors
  • Are itching, bleeding, flaking or crusting
  • Increased in size
  • Appear raised more from the skin

It’s important to notice these changes on time because they can happen really fast. 

WHY ARE REGULAR MOLE CHECKS BENEFICIAL AND IMPORTANT?

Nowadays skin cancers are becoming more and more common. Therefore patients must check their skin and moles regularly. That’s an effective way of spotting any changes in moles and other skin lesions and preventing unwanted consequences. This is especially important for people with fair skin, those with many moles and previous history of melanoma. 

Patients should examine all the new moles that appear in their 30s. Usually, these new moles or lesions are harmless and connected to aging. But if they appear atypical or abnormal, it’s essential to check them with a dermatologist. 

At Lucia Clinic, the patients are consulted first with skin experts during their mole examinations. The skin experts can perform a full body check-up with a dermascopy. All the patient’s moles are thoroughly examined, and those that have recently changed their shape, color or size are especially paid attention to. 

During the examination, Lucia’s dermatologist can also teach the patient how to monitor the moles that appear risky. The dermatologist may suggest the patient have the mole checked more often if necessary. This is true for patients with many moles or a previous history of skin cancer. If the dermatologist determines that some suspicious moles should be removed for further analysis, those moles can be removed during the same appointment. Or the patient can get some moles removed for cosmetic reasons. 

Regular mole checks help the patient to keep their skin healthy and notice any unwanted mole changes on time. 

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    FREQUENT QUESTIONS

    • WHO CHECKS THE PATIENT’S MOLES?

      Dermatologists are specialized in monitoring and examining moles. They examine the size of moles and perform a biopsy if they consider it to be necessary. Once they get the results, they decide what the next step is.

      The patient needs to make an appointment with the dermatologist if they notice that the moles are starting to change. The dermatologist can determine if the changes are harmful and they include painful or tender moles, bleeding or itching moles and moles that changed their color, size or shape.

      Moles can appear on any skin or mucosal area. Mucosal areas are the mouth, eyes or genitals, and if the patient has a previous history of melanoma he/she should also have regular examinations with the gynecologist, dentist and ophthalmologist to monitor if new moles have appeared in those areas.

    • HOW DOES A DERMATOLOGIST CHECKS MOLES?

      The dermatologist uses a technique called dermascopy to check the mole's colors and microstructures of the top layer of the skin. Dermascopy is done with an instrument called dermatoscope that has magnifying optics and transilluminating light. This technique helps the dermatologist to evaluate if the mole is benign or malignant.

      Except for moles, the dermatologist can examine other malignant lesions like cylindromas, angiomas, seborrheic keratosis or dermatofibromas. Using dermascopy, the dermatologist can set the surgical boundaries for skin cancers that may be hard to determine otherwise. Other cancerous lesions have unclear boundaries and can be determined with this technique. These include Bowen’s disease, lentigo malignant and superficial basal cell carcinomas.

    • WHAT DOES A MOLE CHECK LOOK LIKE?

      During the mole check, the dermatologist examines all skin lesions that the patient is concerned about. With dermascopy, the dermatologist can diagnose a lesion immediately or inspect it more thoroughly if necessary. The dermatoscope lets the dermatologist examine the pigment underneath the skin's surface.

      The dermatologist can suggest the patient a whole body check if that patient has a previous history of melanoma. The dermatologist examines the risk factors and documents lesions that appear harmful. The dermatologist explains to the patient the reasons why those lesions might be risky and suggest six months or annual check-up. This way these lesions are properly monitored and any changes can be noticed on time. The dermatologist also suggests the patient monitor his/her moles alone to detect any signs of melanoma.

      Any abnormal moles or lesions may be removed immediately during the mole check appointment. These moles or lesions are then sent for further analysis, but they may also be removed for cosmetic reasons. The dermatologist chooses the best way to remove the mole or lesion in question since there are different removal techniques.

    • HOW OFTEN SHOULD A PATIENT CHECK THE MOLES BY THE DERMATOLOGIST?

      Generally, it is advised to check the moles by a skin specialist once per year, to monitor the moles and detect any changes. If the patient has many moles on his/her body or a family member with a previous history of melanoma then he/she may check the moles more often or every 6 months. It is not unusual to have many moles even over 100 but it is best to monitor them and notice the changes on time.

    • HOW CAN THE PATIENTS CHECK THEIR MOLES ON THEIR OWN?

      Generally, dermatologists advise monthly checks of moles at home. The patients can monitor their moles and see if some of their moles have changed. A good method of proper mole monitoring is taking photographs of them every month to compare and see if some moles have changed. This is very useful if patients have many moles all over their bodies. The patients can also ask their partners or friends to check their moles at the back.
      WHAT IS THE “ABCDE RULE” FOR MOLE CHECKS?

      Moles have 5 features that show if they have started to change:

      Asymmetry - the mole is uneven and one side is smaller or bigger.

      Border - the outline of the mole is irregular or blurred. The edges are not clear.

      Colors - the mole has 2 or more colors - brown, white, red, black or blue. The color is unevenly toned.

      Diameter - the mole is bigger than 5 mm in diameter.

      Evolution - the mole started to change in color or size in the past 6 to 12 months. Or the mole is elevated from the skin.

      If the patient notices any of these changes he/she should check the mole in question with the dermatologist.