104 How to spot a dangerous mole

All about malignant melanoma

Some people think they add character, many of us don’t notice them, while others can’t stand them. But, however you feel about moles, you’ve probably got at least one. ‘There’s not really a normal amount, but less than 50 moles would be compatible with most of the population,’ says Dr Ross Perry, skin cancer expert and medical director of Cosmedics UK. They occur when cells grow in a cluster instead of spread throughout the skin. ‘These are called melanocytes, and they make the pigment that gives skin its natural colour,’ says Dr Perry. Got more than most? It’s probably down to your family. ‘Our genetic make-up has a lot to do with the number of moles we have,’ explains Dr Perry. ‘Plus, high amounts of sun exposure means we are more likely to develop more.’ So, with the weather warming up, being aware of your moles – and if they are changing – is key for surviving skin cancer, as 86% of cases are said to be preventable*.

WHAT MAKES A MOLE BECOME CANCEROUS?

Most moles are harmless and will look the same for many years. ‘Yet, in theory, all moles have the potential to change into a skin cancer,’ warns Dr Perry. So it’s important to check even the ones you’ve had since childhood. The majority of melanoma cases in adults are new moles, usually due to either long-term or short periods of overexposure to the sun. UVB rays penetrate less deeply and cause sunburn, while UVA rays go deeper into the skin, causing longer-term invisible damage. So if your skin has gone red, it’s a sign it has been damaged by too much UV radiation. And it doesn’t have to be sunny for your skin to be at risk. ‘Even if you can’t see any blue sky, a significant amount of UV rays can still get through the clouds – even in the UK,’ warns Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson. ‘You can even be affected indoors, as

UVA radiation can penetrate glass, such as a car window or conservatory.’

SPOT A SUSPICIOUS MOLE

‘If a mole shows any of these features, it should be seen by your GP who will refer you to a dermatologist to exclude melanoma,’ says Dr Mahto.

✢ ASYMMETRY One half of the mole is different to the other.

✢ BORDER Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined edge.

✢ COLOUR Uneven colour or variable colours within a mole.

✢ DIAMETER The mole is bigger than 6mm in size (roughly the size of a petit pois).

✢ EVOLVING

The mole is changing in its size, shape or colour. Plus, look for any new moles or any skin lesion that bleeds or fails to heal.

KEEP SKIN PROTECTED

Despite sun exposure being a key factor in developing skin cancer, 23% of Brits admit they don’t use any sun cream. Stay safe by avoiding the sun when it’s at its hottest between 11am to 3pm, wear a hat with a wide brim and always apply sun cream. Not sure what to choose? ‘A higher price doesn’t necessarily mean the sunscreen is better quality,’ says Dr Mahto. ‘Look for SPF 30 or more to protect against UVB, and the UVA circle logo and/or 4 or 5 UVA stars to protect against UVA.’ Get into the habit of applying your sunscreen before venturing outside, as SPF needs up to 20 minutes to sink in.

MAKE IT A HABIT

‘Check your body once a month and make sure you seek medical advice early,’ says Dr Mahto.

‘Study your moles after a bath or shower in a well-lit room with the aid of a full-length mirror. Look closely at the entire body, including the scalp, buttocks and genitalia, palms and soles, including between the fingers and toes. Seek assistance from a trusted individual to examine the hardto-see areas.’