Table of contents:
- What is the difference between a regular mole and a mole that is characteristic of melanoma cancer?
- Check your skin
- How do I prevent cancerous moles?
Moles are a common skin condition that often appears in most people. Some moles appear from birth, although they usually appear in the first 30 years. While they may be disturbing to the view, moles are usually completely harmless. Most moles are benign, aka not cancerous. However, in some rare cases, moles can become melanoma, a type of skin cancer. What are the signs of moles that are a feature of skin cancer?
What is the difference between a regular mole and a mole that is characteristic of melanoma cancer?
Melanoma cancer usually appears as a dark spot similar to a mole and develops very quickly on the skin. Melanoma can appear in areas that have never had a mole, or from a mole that has changed in size, shape, or color. In some cases, melanoma is red, itchy and may bleed. Here's how the most effective way to detect signs of cancer moles.
Check your skin
You should check your skin every few months for any signs of a new mole or if there are changes to an existing mole.
A sign of a mole that is cancerous is a new growth that can appear on any part of the body, but it most commonly appears on the back, legs, hands and face. Some signs of suspicious moles that you should look out for are:
- A mole that has 2 or more different colors
- The ragged edge of the mole or the jagged tip
- Moles that are bleeding, itchy, red, swollen, or crusty
- A mole that enlarges rapidly
When diagnosed and treated at an early stage, surgical removal of melanoma is usually successful. Surgery is often used as the main treatment for melanoma. After surgery, you will need appropriate follow-up care to prevent the melanoma from returning. It is important to follow the doctor's instructions.
How do I prevent cancerous moles?
If you are new to mole removal or have light-colored skin that is prone to mole growth, you should take extra precautions to protect your skin from the sun. Sun protection is the best and easiest way to prevent skin cancer. Here are some tips to help those of you with light-colored skin or have multiple moles that are often at high risk for skin cancer. If you have a lot of moles, you should avoid being in the sun for too long, by:
- Take shelter in the shade between 11am - 3pm.
- Wear UV protective clothing, hat and sunglasses.
- Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15 and reuse every 2-3 hours, after swimming or sweating.
- Avoid using sun lamps or sunbed which produces UV rays.
If your mole has been there since you were born and hasn't changed, don't worry. Always remember to pay attention to changes in the skin and protect the skin from the sun.
