Moles: When Should You Be Concerned?

While no one likes marks or blemishes on their skin — especially not moles that can lead to cancer — they are a fact of life, with most people having anywhere from 10 to 40. The good news is while moles can develop into melanoma, there are signs to watch out for. And fortunately, skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.

Whether the issue is skin or another type of cancer requiring surgery, Dr. Trevan Fischer brings extensive knowledge and experience along with the most up-to-date techniques to his private practice in Santa Monica, California. His work on clinical trials at the Saint John's Cancer Institute allows him to stay abreast of the latest cutting-edge findings and provide the best possible outcome for his patients.

Moles

Moles occur when melanocytes (pigment cells in the skin) grow in groups. They are typically tan, brown, or pink, raised or flat, and are round or oval. New moles can continue to develop on people until they are about 40 years old. As individuals age, moles may fade and disappear.

Melanoma

The biggest concern about moles is their development into melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer and one whose incidence is increasing. 

Catching it at an early stage is critical. One way to do this is to conduct self-checks looking for atypical moles. These could be a strange shape, more than one color, or larger than the head on a pencil eraser.

Suspect moles may also be able to be detected using the ABCDE method. Experts suggest looking for the following:

A for asymmetry

Asymmetry is when two sides of a mole look different from each other.

B for border

Moles with fuzzy borders, notches, protrusions, or edges that are ragged or poorly defined can signify a problem.

C for color

Healthy moles should be one color. If any are two or more shades of brown or if they are red, blue, black, gray, or white, they should be examined by our medical team.

D for diameter

Melanomas can come in all sizes, including very small, but moles that are larger than 6 millimeters are a particular red flag.

E for evolution

A mole that changes over time is especially concerning.

In addition to these warning signs, moles that itch, swell, crust, ooze, or are painful should be checked by our team.

Diagnosis, Prevention, and treatment

Diagnosis includes a visual exam along with a biopsy for a definitive diagnosis. Treatment depends on factors, including how advanced the melanoma is. Often, treatment includes surgery.

While conducting self-exams is helpful, preventing melanoma in the first place is even better. Try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Wear sunscreen, a hat, and cover your body when outdoors. Avoid tanning beds as they can increase the risk of developing melanoma by 75% from just one session before age 35.

Whether you have an abnormal mole you want to get checked out or have already been diagnosed with skin cancer, call our office today or click to book an appointment with Dr. Fischer.