When is a mole suspicious?

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It’s a question many people have: “When is a mole suspicious?” Today on Health Lab, we’re sharing expert tips on how to check your moles for signs of skin cancer.

Let’s dive into how to examine moles properly — and when it’s time to see a doctor.

Although it's important to look for atypical moles, spots or changes in your skin that could signal skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma or melanoma, it also is helpful to know when a mole needn't be cause for concern.

Dr. Kelly Cha, an assistant professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Michigan Health says, "Most of the time, if you have several moles that look similar to one another, then those are benign. Also, if you have a mole that's been with you since childhood without significant change, that's usually a good sign that you don't need to worry about it."

Still, Dr. Cha says, it is a good idea to get a yearly skin exam from your dermatologist or primary care provider.

Dr. Cha offers these four additional tips for checking your moles for signs of skin cancer:

1. Check yourself monthly
2. Make sure you look all over your body
3. Know your "A-B-Cs"
4. Take precautions

Over time, you get to know the kinds of spots you have, and you'll be more likely to notice one that stands out from the rest or looks different than it used to.

Some people refer to this as the "ugly duckling" sign.

A mole that has changed in appearance, or one that is new and doesn't fit in well with others on your skin definitely needs to be evaluated. 

Stand in front of a full-length mirror with a hand mirror to help look at difficult-to-see areas like your back, and the backs of your arms and legs. 

While seated, check the bottoms of your feet and even check between your toes.

While most skin cancers occur on sun-exposed areas like the face, back, arms and legs — skin cancer can appear elsewhere. 

Be thorough and don’t ignore places that are usually covered by clothing. 

Consider the ABCDEs of melanoma: A spot may be more concerning if it is “A”, Asymmetric or lopsided, has ragged Borders, “B”, has more than one Color, “C”, has a Diameter greater than 6mm, “D” - which is about the size of a pencil eraser - and in particular, if it is Evolving, “E”, meaning that it is changing in size, shape or color.

It’s also important to keep in mind that melanoma can also start as a flat, discolored spot, so don't ignore funny-looking flat spots any more than you would ignore an unusual bumpy spot.

To keep your skin looking healthy and to decrease your risk of skin cancer, you should avoid indoor tanning and always put a protective barrier between yourself and the sun.

Some people prefer to protect their skin by staying in the shade and using umbrellas; some prefer to wear hats and sun-protective clothing; some prefer sunscreen; and often people prefer to mix and match all of these options.

So let’s review: Check yourself monthly, make sure to check your entire body, know your “A-B-Cs”, and take precautions to protect yourself from the sun.

A reminder that all Health Lab content including health news, best practices and research insights are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Always seek the advice of a health care provider for questions about your health and treatment options.

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