It can be easy to dismiss a mole or skin growth as something that doesn’t seem like a big concern or worry. And for the most part, that is correct. However, it’s a good idea to routinely check out your moles and have a good idea of what they typically look like so if they change you know something might be wrong.
At Stockton Dermatology, we recommend our patients, especially those who know they have a family history of cancer, to make a habit of regular self-exams at home to see any drastic changes in their skin, paying close attention to moles and skin growths.
If you have a mole or notice any of the following symptoms, you should come in for a closer look:
- If you had skin cancer before
- If you have a family history of skin cancer
- Presence of any suspicious moles or skin lesions
- If you see any early signs of skin cancer like a rash or sore that won’t heal, a growth, or moles or warts changing in their appearance
- If you have new moles appearing on your body rapidly or if you have over 50 moles on your body
- Noticing atypical moles or any changes in your moles you have
When performing your self-checks on your moles or skin growths, we like to use the ABCDE rule for the 5 warning signs of melanoma:
- Asymmetry– if one side of your mole doesn’t match the other, call your doctor
- Border Irregularity– if you see ragged or blurred edges to your mole, call your doctor
- Color– if the color has changed or just seems irregular, call your doctor
- Diameter– if your mole is larger than 6mm, call your doctor
- Evolution– if there’s a change in size, shape, and symptoms over time, call your doctor
If you have been paying attention to your moles and have a concern they might be cancerous, visit our office in Phoenix, AZ for an examination. Call (480) 610-6366 to schedule your appointment now.
