You’re checking your skin monthly for new or changing moles when you spy something unusual — a new mole has suddenly appeared, or an existing one suddenly looks bigger or changes color. Is this normal? Or could it be melanoma?
“Moles themselves are not cancerous, though it is possible for skin cancer to mimic moles,” said Jennifer Lopez, a nurse practitioner at Novant Health Northlake Dermatology in Huntersville, North Carolina. “So it’s helpful to understand what to look for when checking your skin, and to know the warning signs of melanoma — the most dangerous form of skin cancer.”
Good health starts with a visit to your physician.
What does a normal mole look like?
Moles (sometimes called beauty marks) are circular or oval patches of brown, tan or pink skin that occur when pigment-producing cells multiply in small clusters, about 2 - 5 millimeters in diameter. (Note: 6 millimeters is the equivalent of 1/4 inch.)
They may be flat or raised, and typically have a uniform color and clearly defined borders.
“How many moles we have depends on our genes and sun exposure,” Lopez said. “And, while regular moles are not cancerous themselves, research shows that people who have a larger number of moles are more likely to develop skin cancers, including melanoma.”
Know your ABCDEs
The easiest way to spot melanoma is to know your ABCDEs, according to Lopez. Created by dermatologists, the ABCDE tool spells out warning signs. Look for:
- Asymmetry: If you folded the mole in half, would both sides match? If one side is different from the other, it may signal trouble.
- Border: Is the border clearly defined? Or is it jagged, notched or even blurred — with the pigment spreading into the neighboring skin?
- Color: Does the mole contain more than one color or varying shades of a single color? Most moles are solid brown, pink or tan, but shades of red, white gray, black and even blue may be visible.
- Diameter: How large is the mole? Melanomas may be as small as the head of a pin — but most measure six millimeters or more (approximately 1/4 inch).
- Evolution: Has the mole suddenly appeared, grown or otherwise changed in recent weeks or months?
“Other signs to be aware of include moles that itch, bleed, swell or look significantly different from the other moles on your body,” Lopez said. “Moles that grow back after they’ve been removed are also cause for suspicion.”
If you spot a mole or skin lesion with any of these characteristics — or one that just doesn’t look right to you — it’s time to call your doctor to have it examined.