When it comes to moles, you are your own first line of defence. Most of the spots on your skin like freckles, moles, and birthmarks are normal. Almost everyone has some moles, they may be flat or raised, they may be present at birth or appear during your lifetime.
Melanomas (malignant moles) are the result of cancerous changes to melanocytes in the skin.
Melanocytes are a type of skin cell. These produce the brown pigment in the skin, melanin that comes to the surface of the skin when we are exposed to the sun or a sunbed – what we call a ‘sun tan’. A normal, healthy mole is made up by a build up of melanocytes, and they are harmless. However, sometimes the cells within a mole can change and cause melanoma. This is why we need to check our moles regularly and get to know them!
You don’t need to check your moles constantly or worry about them. Once a month is enough.
THE ABCDE METHOD OF MOLE CHECKING
Learning how to check your moles yourself and noticing any signs of change is vitally important. As a teenager, your body is going through many changes and you are starting to take charge of your own health anyway, with the advice and help of your parent/guardian/carer. Checking your moles once a month should become part of your health routine – it does not take long and is important for you to stay healthy.
Stand in front of a mirror and check your entire body for moles, freckles, birthmarks or unusual marks or spots (use a hand mirror for hard-to-see places!) Use our guide below to check for changes.
ASYMMETRICAL – common healthy moles tend to be round and symmetrical (if you divided it in two, each half would look the same). Most early melanomas are asymmetrical, and if you had to draw a line down the middle, each side would not match.
BORDERS – the borders of early melanomas are often uneven and may have scalloped, notched or fuzzy edges. Common moles have smoother, more even borders.
COLOURS – common moles are usually a single shade of brown. Varied shades of brown, tan or black can be the first sign of melanoma, and may progress to other colours like red, white or blue.
DIAMETER – early melanomas usually grow larger than common moles, generally to at least the size of about 6mm or a quarter of an inch in diameter.
EVOLVING – when a mole is evolving and changing in any way this is time to seek medical advice, talk to your parent/guardian/carer, and see your GP. Be alert for any changes in size, shape, colour, or if the mole starts to itch, bleed, or crust.
Remember your moles are very personal to you. You can look at pictures on the internet of malignant moles but we advise you to get to know your moles as they are now, and then check for changes yourself, as everyone’s moles and bodies are different. The ABCDE guide is your starting point. There is no need to panic – if you do notice a change then go straight to your parent/care/guardian and then to your GP. Remember your GP is there to help and they will be glad that you are taking care of your own skin, and their advice and assistance will reassure you.
Don’t worry or panic about checking moles, it should just become part of your routine, just like brushing your teeth or going for an eye test. If you look after your skin it will protect you for a lifetime!
