Cancerous Moles – Things You Should Know

Cancerous moles are often neglected until it is too late. This is somehow understandable since moles are very common. Almost all of us, (if not all), have moles somewhere on our body. Most skin moles are benign. However, there are certain instances where normal, benign moles become cancerous and lead to skin cancer. Hence, it is important to know more about moles that cause cancer.

How Do Malignant Moles Form?

There are three basic types of moles – cancerous, irregular and regular moles. Regular moles are the common moles found in your body. This type of mole is benign. The irregular moles, also called atypical, are the type of moles that have irregular borders, are bigger in size, are asymmetrical and have darker or multiple colors. This type of mole has a risk of turning into cancerous moles. Atypical moles are not the only type of mole that can become malignant. Congenital moles, which are present after birth, have the tendency to grow over time and can become cancerous. There are different causes of malignant moles. The primary cause is direct and overexposure to sunlight. Other causes include exposure to x-rays, exposure to ultraviolet rays, low immune systems and frequent exposure to chemicals. All these factors can contribute to the development of malignant moles.

How To Determine Malignant Moles?

Because malignant moles are hard to identify, it is important to have regular checkups to monitor changes of the moles. Fortunately, you do not have to visit your physician every month to monitor your moles. Dermatologists follow a system in determining if a mole is cancerous or not. This system is referred to as the ABCDE of mole health.

The following are the ABCDEs you should look for in determining malignant moles:

• Asymmetry – Check the mole’s asymmetry. If the shape of the mole is not normal, like one end is big while the other end is small, then you should have a checkup right away.
• Border – The second thing to check is the mole’s border. Check for the thickness or color change of the mole’s border. If you find one, then you had better head to your dermatologist for a checkup.
• Color – The mole’s color should also be checked. Regular or normal moles are usually black, tan, brown, red, pink and even blue. If there is a drastic change in the color, then make sure to have it checked by your doctor.
• Diameter – Another thing to look at if you want to check for malignant moles is to monitor the diameter of the mole. If there is a drastic change in size, then make sure you have it checked.
• Evolution – Any change in the mole, such as abnormal growth, alteration or pain means that you need to have it checked.

How To Treat Malignant Moles?

Several treatments are available for cancerous moles. However, before your physician talks about treatment, your doctor will first have to verify the diagnosis through a biopsy test. If your doctor finds that your mole is indeed cancerous, then treatment may be given. Moles that are cancerous are usually removed automatically by your doctor. There are two methods. The first method is through shave excision and the second one is by removing the entire mole.

Moles that are cancerous can be very dangerous. Skin cancer, particularly melanoma, is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. If left untreated, it could lead to a progressive stage of cancer, which can be fatal. The best way to avoid this is through prevention. You can only prevent this from happening if you check your moles regularly, preferably monthly, to avoid cancerous moles from developing and even spreading.

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By: Sri Ariani