What is a Mole?
What is a Mole? Moles are perfectly normal– except when they develop into skin cancer. Learn how to spot the changes.
Expert: Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Director of Dermatologic Research, Associate Residency Program Director, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Transcript
We all have moles. The average person is spotted with at least 10 to 40 of them– and new ones can keep cropping up. And while most are harmless beauty marks, IRREGULAR shaped growths can be a potential sign of skin cancer. Here’s how to tell whats normal and whats not.
Normal moles form on our skin when pigment-producing cells, called melanocytes, grow in a cluster. They can be flat or bumpy, round or oval, and can come in brown, pink, tan, or flesh-colored. They are usually small, getting no bigger than a pencil eraser.
One out of every 10 Americans has an abnormally shaped mole called a dysplastic nevus (or nevi in plural). These are usually larger than a regular mole and have asymmetrical borders and uneven coloring. The more of these moles you have, the higher your cancer risk. So, make regular skin checks and sun screen a mandatory part of your routine.You and your doctor will be looking for signs of melanoma on your skin.
While melanoma accounts for only 3 percent of all skin cancer cases, it is responsible for 75% of all skin cancer related deaths. Its easy to cure when treated early. Untreated, the cancer can spread to other, harder to treat parts of the body.
Here are some signs to look for remember it as your ABCs:
- A: Asymmetry: An EASY way to tell– if the mole was folded in half, it would not match up.
- B: Check the BORDERS. Look to see if they are uneven or scalloped.
- C: What COLOR is it? Multiple shades of browns in one mole, or even RED and bluish colors can be a sign of melanoma.
- S: Size. It DOES matter for moles! Cancerous moles are usually WIDER in diameter than normal ones.
If you see any of these signs or the moles has changed in appearance, have your doctor check it out immediately. If you’re fair skinned, have a history of skin cancer in the family, have been sunburned often, live in a sunny climate or at high altitude, and/or have a weakened immune system, your risk is also higher.
If your doctor suspects a mole to be potentially cancerous, he may remove it. A local anesthetic is applied to the skin and the mole is simply cut away. If the cells removed are found to be cancerous, larger areas of the skin may need to be treated. For more smart ways to keep you and your skin healthy, check out the rest of the videos on this site.
Last Modified: 2012-11-17
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
