A doctor will be able to take a closer look at a concerning spot and determine if it is in fact suspicious and warrants a biopsy, a simple procedure that involves removing a sample of the skin in question—either all of it or just a small portion—and sending it to a lab for testing. Jarvis says: "Malignant melanoma can affect adults of all ages, and accounts for 90% of skin cancer deaths despite being about 20 times less common than other skin cancers. The biggest risk factor is skin damage, particularly from burning and especially in childhood. A combination of pale skin and a hot climate is particularly risky. Most moles are nothing to worry about, but see your doctor immediately if a mole changes or you don't pass the ABCDE test." What to look for Ebede T, Papier A. Disparities in dermatology educational resources. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;55(4):687-690. Melanocytic naevi that appear during childhood (aged 2 to 10 years) tend to be the most prominent and persistent throughout life.

Of course, not all new, enlarged or changing moles will mean skin cancer. But you should keep an eye on them just in case. Ortone JP, et al. Treatment of solar lentignines. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2006;S4:S262. Yes. If you are worried about a mole or moles, we can book you in for a consultation with a consultant dermatologist at The MOLE Clinic, part of the sk:n family. There are clinics in London, and skin cancer screening services are also available in selected sk:n clinics. Being told you have melanoma skin cancer can feel overwhelming. You may be feeling anxious about what will happen next.

Moles

Having a personal or family history of melanoma. If you've had melanoma before, you are at increased risk of a mole becoming cancerous. In addition, some types of atypical nevi lead to a genetic form of melanoma. Finding a melanoma as early as possible can mean it's easier to treat. What happens at the GP appointment Most suitable for small, raised moles in areas where minimal scarring is a priority, such as the face. Laser mole removal uses light energy to break down the melanin pigment within the mole. Treatments can take several months to work, so do not expect results overnight. Once they do start to work, the results are usually good. Why do I have acne? Acne is most commonly linked to the changes in hormone levels during puberty, but can start at any age.

Avoid peak sun times. For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even on cloudy days or in winter. When you are outdoors, seek shade or use a sun-protective umbrella.

Ligue 1

Rigel DS, Russak J, Friedman R. The evolution of melanoma diagnosis: 25 years beyond the ABCDs. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians 2010; 60(5):301–316. [PubMed Abstract] https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html Melanoma may begin with visible changes in an existing mole. This can involve its shape, color, size, or texture. It may also show up as a new mole. Is melanoma raised or flat?

Most people have moles. Only about one in a hundred persons has a mole or moles present at birth. These so called congenital melanocytic naevi are often bigger than acquired naevi (moles) that develop after birth. Moles typically appear in childhood and early teenage years, so that by the age of 15, Australian children have an average of more than 50 moles. Melanocytic naevi that are acquired later in childhood or adult life often follow sun exposure and may fade away or involute later. Try not to worry if your results are taking longer than you expect. It does not mean anything is wrong. The pathological classification of melanocytic naevi relates to where naevus cells are found in the skin. Junctional naevushttps://meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article/144/4/500/427497/The-2018-World-Health-Organization-Classification A combined naevus has two distinct types of mole within the same lesion – usually blue naevus and compound naevus. Congenital melanocytic naevi are classified according to their actual or predicted adult size in maximum dimension and on specific characteristics. Congenital melanocytic naevi Small congenital naevus

Sardana K, Chakravarty P, Goel K. Optimal management of common acquired melanocytic nevi (moles): current perspectives. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2014;7:89-103. doi:10.2147/CCID.S57782 Desmedt B, et al. Overview of skin whitening agents with an insight into the illegal cosmetic market in Europe. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2016;30:943. Elder DE, et al. (2020). The 2018 World Health Organization classification of cutaneous, mucosal, and uveal melanoma: Detailed analysis of 9 distinct subtypes defined by their evolutionary pathway.

The Mole Scanning Service is for those aged 18 years old and over. If you are younger than 18, please see your GP if you have any concerns about your moles or pigmented lesions.