The ABC of Detecting Skin Cancer

Many people are the proud (or not so proud) owners of moles. The not so proud would do well to remember that moles honestly won the title of “beauty spots” and that some have even been known to draw them on!

Around 1%-2% of all babies are born with moles or beauty marks - in medical term they are known as melanocytic naevi.

Are beauty spots dangerous?

While we still don’t fully understand the mechanisms that cause them to appear, it is as clear as sunshine that moles do sometimes progress to skin cancers such as melanoma.

Beauty marks can appear on any part of the body and with the same frequency in both men and women. Although the majority of beauty marks are benign there is a risk that they may become malignant. If there is any suspicion the mole must be removed or biopsied and the specimens looked at by an expert.

Who is at risk for skin cancer?

All of us are at risk of developing skin cancer, especially if we are exposed to the sun on a regular basis.

Those of us with fair skin that is covered in multiple moles and beauty marks, or anyone with a family history of skin cancer is at high risk for the disease. If this is the case, it is imperative to learn to examine your own skin at six monthly intervals and to look for and be aware of any new or strange looking moles.

How can skin cancer be prevented?

There are two main ways to reduce the likelihood of developing a cancer. The first is to stay out of the sun. Minimize exposure to the sun and wearing a sunscreen of at least factor 30. You should also wear protective clothing – long sleeved shirts and trousers - if you are at high risk of skin cancer.

The second method is early detection. Usually a cancer will go through a ‘pre-cancerous’ stage when it can be removed with no ill-effects. If you notice any new moles or irregular beauty marks you should see a dermatologist immediately.

The ABC of detecting skin cancer

Its important to learn the ABC so that you know what you are looking for when you examine yourself. If you find a mole whose description matches any of the below, you should see a doctor immediately.

A- Asymmetry- What is the general shape of your moles. Are they circular or an unusual shape? Does each half of the mole or growth match the other half?

B- Border Irregularity – Are the edges of the growth ragged, notched or blurred?

C- Colour – Is the pigmentation of the growth uniform? Are there shades of tan, brown and black present? Is the appearance mottled with red, white or blue?

D- Diameter - Is the width is greater than 6 millimeters (about the size of a pencil eraser)? If so, this could be an indicator of an abnormal skin growth.

E –New Mole - Generally, any new mole growth should be a concern.

REMEMBER- the key to prevention of skin cancer is early detection.