How to check your moles

Most of us will by now have had our annual two week holiday in the sun and hopefully we’ve all been careful of our skin, taking note of the necessary precautions when out in the heat of the day.

Nonetheless, it is natural to worry about any moles that may seem to have appeared; it has certainly been a topic of conversation among people I know. Are all the freckles that appear in the sun anything to worry about etc?

Some of us do have more moles than others and the more moles you have on your body, the higher your risk of melanoma. Of course this doesn’t mean you will definitely get melanoma if you have lots of moles. But it does mean you should be very careful about exposing yourself to the sun. And you should keep an eye on all your moles. Melanomas in men are most common on the back. In women, the commonest site is the legs.

People who are very fair skinned, especially with fair or red hair, are more at risk of developing melanoma. So are people with a lot of freckles. People with darker skins can still get melanoma, but they have more natural protection against it. The incidence of melanoma in the UK has risen with the increase in people taking a two week holiday in the sun and the risk appears to be higher with this short blast of sun we are unused to, than if you live and work in a hot country. This is perhaps because we try to catch as many rays as possible in our short time abroad and is why we must remember to stay in the shade at the height of the day and to use sunscreen regularly.

So how do we know whether a mole is something to worry about or not?

There is a fairly simple way of checking moles for melanoma. Remember the letters A, B, C, and D and you are on your way:

A is for asymmetrical. The mole should be round in shape, and it should not change shape at any time. Any irregularities should be checked by your doctor.

B is for border. If the border of the mole is broken in places or is irregular in any way, visit your doctor.

C is for colour. If your mole changes colour or seems to be made up of a few different colours, have the mole checked by your doctor.

D is for diameter. If the mole is bigger then a pencil rubber (eraser), have it checked by a doctor.

Pre-cancerous moles are so easy to treat. They can usually be removed under local anaesthetic. An early melanoma can be cured in this way. But if you leave it, the disease can get out of hand.

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