MY MOLES ARE CHANGING SHAPE AND COLOUR
I’m 35, male of Syrian origin and have noticed a few moles on my body getting darker in colour and changing shape. My friend suggests it could be melanoma because I indulge in outdoor sports?
AThe risk of developing melanoma
or any of the other skin cancers is primarily determined by three major factors – skin phototype, genetic influence/positive family history and past history of excessive sun exposures.
In my observation, majority of the Syrians are very fair skinned, blue/green eyed individuals and as such they are classified with skin phototype 2. In general, those with skin phototype 1 and 2 are considered among the high-risk individuals of developing melanoma or other skin cancers. At the same time, luckily, the Syrian population do not have strong genetic predisposition for skin cancers.
Now to address your concerns. Keeping in mind your excessive sun exposure during the outdoor sports activities, these changes in your moles can be concerning. I suggest you get them checked by an experienced dermatologist.
Mole assessment protocol is based on two steps; thorough clinical examination of the whole body by a mole master physician who closely checks every mole through dermatoscopic examination. During this process the moles with atypical characteristics are marked and are later screened through detailed computerised mole-mappings, and findings are thoroughly studied and carefully reported. Moles that are found with atypical/suspicious findings are recommended to be removed through complete surgical excisions/biopsies.
The diagnostic modality of mole-mapping has positively revolutionised an early diagnosis of malignant melanoma. Through skilfully done mole-mappings, it is possible to detect cases of melanoma at an early stage and have a 100 per cent total cure for all of the diagnosed and treated patients.