Moles And Skin Cancer

Moles and skin cancer are closely connected. This doesn't mean that every mole will turn into cancer. After all, almost everyone has one or two. However, the cells that make up moles have a significant chance of becoming cancerous. About half of skin cancers occur in a mole.

How To Tell Normal Moles From Cancerous Ones

Moles can be all kinds of different colors, shapes and sizes. They may be brown, red, black, or the same color as your skin. Some are even slightly blue.

Regular moles can be raised or flat.

They may be oval or round.

Skin cancer moles are more likely to be:

• large
• irregular in shape
• more asymmetrical than regular moles.

Take a look at your body on a regular basis so you know what your moles should look like. That way, if any of them change, you'll be able to catch them early.

Melanoma moles are of particular concern. This type of cancer can be fatal if untreated. That's because it can spread to other systems, like the brain and lungs. Melanomas start in pigment producing cells, like moles and freckles. That's why so many people are worried about the connection between moles and skin cancer. Fortunately, if you pay attention, you don't have to be too concerned.

Doing A Skin Self Examination

Everyone should check their skin frequently to learn what their moles usually look like. They should use the ABCD method to determine whether or not a mole is worth worrying about. These letters stand for the signs you should look for to determine whether a mole in cancerous.

A stands for asymmetry.

• Normal moles are symmetrical. That means that one half of the mole will match the other in color, shape, thickness and size. If you have a mole that is not the same on both sides, you might need to worry about it.

B stands for border.

• Most normal moles have clear, well defined borders. Their borders are usually smooth. A mole with a border that isn't well defined or that looks notched or scalloped might be cancerous.

C stands for color.

• The majority of moles are the same color all over. No matter whether they're brown, black, red, or the same color as your skin, they don't vary much. Moles that may be cancerous are often different colors in different places. For example, one part might be brown and another black or red.

D stands for diameter.

• Normal moles are usually relatively small. They might grow some if you gain weight or get a lot of sun. But they generally stay below a certain size. They also grow very slowly, if at all. If you have a mole that is very large or grows quickly, it could be a bad sign.

These signs don't necessarily mean you have cancer. However, the connection between moles and skin cancer is a strong one. This means that you need to have any unusual moles looked at by a doctor. Most of the time, there will be nothing wrong. However, if you have cancer, you really want to learn about it early. That way, you can get the right kind of treatment.

What Causes Skin Cancer

Some of the same factors that cause moles to develop are also factors that can cause skin cancer. For instance, most skin cancer occurs in areas that have been exposed to the sun. Freckling and the development of moles also occur in these areas.

You have a higher chance of getting skin cancer if you get bad (blistering) sunburn, or are sunburnt often. People who work outside or spend a lot of leisure time outdoors are at a higher risk than people who don't get much sun. This is because they increase their chances of damaging skin cells and causing cancer.

Just getting sun isn't the only factor in getting skin cancer. People who have a family history of skin cancer are also at risk. If someone else in your family has had any kind of skin cancer, you'll have to watch more carefully. There's good evidence that skin cancer is partly genetic. This is one reason why it shows up on skin that has never been exposed to the sun.

Take care of your skin and avoid too much sun exposure to help prevent yourself from developing cancer. Pay good attention to your moles and other marks, too. If they change or look unusual, you should see a doctor right away. It could save your lif

Other Links

• Moles
• The ABCD's of Melanoma
• Skin Cancer Moles

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