Moles are very common for most people, with more than 3 million cases per year in the U.S. A mole is a cluster of melanocytes, or melanin-producing cells. Sometimes, a mole can be, or can become, cancerous; so when a new, weird-looking mole pops up, should you worry? When the melanocytes in the mole become cancerous, this is when your mole has become melanoma. The good news is that melanoma is a rare type of skin cancer, with fewer than 200,000 cases per year in the U.S., however, the bad news is that it is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. When diagnosed in the early stages, melanoma has a five-year survival rate of 83%. That's why knowing the signs of a potentially cancerous mole is so crucial. A common guide to remember is called the ABCDE rule, explained below.
A: Asymmetry
Asymmetry, summed up, is when two halves of a whole do not look exactly alike. So, in this case, if one side of a mole is darker, or raised, while the other side is flat, this may be a sign to get your mole looked at.
B: Border
If the border of your mole looks irregular, fuzzy, or notched, instead of a defined edge, this is another sign of melanoma.
C: Color
The color of a mole can be a sign of melanoma if the mole is multi-colored. This could include brown, black, tan, or pink and red.
D: Diameter
If a mole is bigger than 6mm, or the size of a pencil eraser, this could be a sign to have your doctor look at it.
E: Evolving
The last sign of melanoma in a mole is if the mole is evolving, or is changing. For example, if it is changing color, size, shape, or if there's rapid thickening/raising of a previously flat mole. In some cases, this may be the only sign that the mole is not benign.
Who Can Get Melanoma?
Anyone can develop melanoma, but some factors may make you more susceptible to it. You may be at a higher risk if you have previously been diagnosed with melanoma, you have a family history of melanoma, you have more than 50 moles, you have fair skin and/or red hair, or you have skin that has lots of sun damage. The most common reason moles become cancerous is from UV radiation. This is just one out of many reasons why wearing sunscreen throughout the year is so important.
Other Signs of Skin Cancer
While moles can become cancerous, melanoma can develop in places where there isn't, or has never been, a mole. Melanoma can look like a sore or spot, a pimple, a birthmark, and can sometimes even look like a bruise. A dark line that appears under a nail on the fingers or toes can also be a sign of melanoma. If you ever have suspicions, or have signs of melanoma, get it checked out by a doctor immediately. While a doctor may have a strong reason to believe it is melanoma, the only way to be 100% sure is to take a biopsy, so the sooner you get in to see the doctor, the better. If you wait to see a doctor, the risk of dying from the disease goes up. In the end, an appointment with a dermatologist could save your life, so don't put it off.