Treatments & Conditions
- Acne
- Allergies
- Children’s Dermatology
- Cryosurgery
- Dermatitis
- Eczema
- Folliculitis & Ingrown Hair
- Genital Issues
- Hair Loss - Female
- Hair Loss - Male
- Hyperhidrosis
- IPL
- Laser Skin Treatment
- Leg Ulcers
- Leg Veins
- Moles
- Mole Mapping
- Nail Disorders
- PDL
- PDT - Photodynamic Therapy
- Oral Disease
- Pigmentation
- Psoriasis
- Rash Diagnosis
- Rosacea
- Sexual Health
- Skin Lesions & Angiomas
- Sun Damage
- Toe Nail Fungus
- VariLite™
- Vitiligo
- Warts & Skin Tags
Moles
Early detection by the rule of ABCDE
Everyone has moles on their skin. They are flat or raised skin lesions and they can be rough or smooth and vary in colour from light to dark brown. They can appear at birth or in childhood or early teens. You may have just a few dotted around your body or you may have a lot. Most moles are harmless: you might think they add character or even be a talking point!
However, very occasionally they can develop into malignant melanoma. This is an aggressive form of skin cancer which should be treated as early as possible. While it accounts for only 4% of all skin cancers it causes 80% of all skin cancer deaths. It can affect people of any age, not just the elderly, and sadly it is on the increase. Early detection by the rule of ABCDE - image right - (view our Mole Mapping leaflet for more detail) and adequate surgical excision can result in complete cure.
If you have a mole that changes in shape, size or colour then you should see your GP or come and see us for a consultation.
Spot the differences
Any change in a mole is important to spot:
- Change in colour (eg darkening, black or red colours appearing in a mole, loss of colour or spread of pigment)
- Change in shape - a mole with an irregular border
- Change in size - a mole getting bigger or thicker
- Non-healing red or brown/black areas
- Itching or unusual sensations in a mole
- Bleeding or ulcerated moles
- The ‘ugly duckling sign’- the mole which looks different from all the rest
- New moles, especially in people over 25 years of age
However, malignant melanomas usually grow quietly and don’t show any symptoms, so regular self-examination (every 6 months) is important. We advise the use of a mirror to examine difficult to see areas and seeking help from a close family member or friend.
Read our useful guide to Skin Cancer (pdf) »
Regular self-examination for Moles
Early detection and treatment is critical to surviving melanoma and skin cancer and one of the most valuable forms of skin inspection is self examination. It is often helpful to get help from a partner when examining your skin. Get into the habit of examining your skin every couple of months, then you will get to know your skin and your own pattern of moles and freckles.
The object of a skin self examination is looking for any change in a mole, a new or changing mole, freckle, red, sore or non-healing area of the skin. If you notice any change, consult your Dermatologist at Skin Care Network.
A number of studies have shown that for high risk individuals 6 monthly skin cancer screening by a Dermatologist will pick up any new melanoma or skin cancer at an early stage when they can be easily treated and cured. If during your skin cancer screening your Dermatologist identifies a potential skin cancer or pre-cancer a biopsy will be performed to remove the growth (or part of it) so that it can be examined under the microscope. This can usually be performed during your visit at Skin Care Network.
Treatments
If you have a large number of moles or if you have a family history of skin cancer, we can help you keep track of them with Mole Mapping. This is computer aided monitoring of all the moles on your body. Combined with a regular Dermatologist visit, this technology provides the highest accuracy for detecting melanomas.