When to See a Doctor About a Mole
Moles are a common occurrence on the skin of many individuals. Most of the time, moles are aesthetic marks on the skin that are not indicative of any serious medical situation. However, misshapen, large, or roughly textured moles can indicate the presence of skin cancer in the body. In this case, mole removal is essential for preserving the health of a patient, and can even be lifesaving. If you have a mole that you worry might be cancerous, take a look at this guide that can help you determine whether you should see a doctor about your mole to talk about mole removal.
What Are Moles?
Moles are a common skin growth that can occur on any part of the skin. Most moles are benign and present no threat to one’s health. Moles can change in appearance over time, and can also disappear gradually. Changes in the appearance of a mole may indicate the presence of cancer.
Why Do Moles Develop?
A mole develops when the cells in the body, known as melanocytes, begin to form in clusters. These types of cells are more often normally spread evenly throughout the skin, with the purpose of producing melanin, which can give skin its color. In most cases, the development of a mole is not considered cause for alarm, and most people have moles at least somewhere on their skin.
When To See a Doctor About a Mole
There are some changes to the appearance of a mole that should be watched closely, as they may indicate that a mole has become cancerous and needs to be removed. Common symptoms in this regard include:
- Changes in color: Moles that change colors, have an uneven color distribution, or contain many colors may be cancerous.
- Asymmetry: Most normal moles are symmetrical. An extremely asymmetrical mole can sometimes indicate an abnormality.
- Evolving: Moles that change in shape or size too rapidly to be considered normal should also be eye suspiciously. In addition, you should take note of whether your mole is consistently itchy or begins bleeding.
- Changing border: Moles that have irregular borders, notched borders, or roughly textured borders may also indicate cancer.
- Large diameter: Moles that are larger than ¼ inch in diameter may be cancerous.
Not every malignant mole will display all of the above characteristics. Inspection by a medical professional is required to determine the malignancy or benign nature of any mole.
Complicating Factors
Everyone’s skin is different, and therefore, the study of melanoma and moles can be highly personal. For example, there are many individuals with dozens or even hundreds of freckles and moles that do not ever become cancerous.
Staying aware of these complicating factors is essential for both patient and doctor as you work together to produce the most accurate portrait of one’s health. Keep an eye out for these other complicating factors:
- Being born with moles that are unusually shaped, without being malignant
- Being born with large moles from birth
- Naturally having many moles on the skin
- Being from a family where skin cancer is common
- Using tanning beds or excessively sun tanning
The above are just examples of some of the factors that can impact the development of moles on one’s skin, as well as the risk factor that one or more of them might become cancerous.
Protecting Your Skin and Lowering the Risk of Cancer
There are a number of steps that you can take to protect your skin and any moles you might have to help prevent them from becoming cancerous. Some of the following are considered best practices:
- Avoid excessive sun exposure, especially during the peak hours of the day
- Use sunscreen when you’re going to spend lots of time outside
- Wear protective clothing if you’re spending extended time outside
- Avoid using tanning lamps and tanning beds
The above advice is doubly recommended if a patient comes from a family with a history of skin cancer or has had cancerous moles in the past. If this is the case for you, you should consider receiving annual check-ups from a dermatologist to examine your skin for signs of skin cancer.
Your Best Resource for Mole Removal
Dr. Brent is a board-certified plastic surgeon who routinely delivers high-quality procedures for individuals in Southern California and beyond. If you have a mole that you are concerned about and would like removed, contact Dr. Brent today to discuss your options.