Regular Moles or Skin Cancer? How to Identify the Differences

The occurrence of skin cancer has grown rapidly over the last 50 years and is now the most prevalent form of cancer especially in Caucasians. If diagnosed early, skin cancer is usually treatable without any severe health risks, and that is why it is very important to examine yourself for early indicators of the disease.

The number of moles that you have is generally a good indicator of how high your risk of developing skin cancer is, the average person has between 15 and 20 moles in their adult life. People with a mole count higher than the average have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. A sudden or continuous growth, pain or itching, redness, swearing, bleeding, hardening, softening and an increase in elevation are all signs of melanoma.

It is imperative that you recognize the difference between moles, age spots and freckles when counting your moles to determine your cancer risk. Age spots are flat and brown and usually appear after age 55 especially on the hands and the face while moles first appear as dark spots which rise and become rounded, sometimes turning light brown or pink.

Most are harmless but melanoma sometimes forms from them and is the most deadly form of skin cancer. Skin should be examining the once a month and a doctor informed of any new growth.

Dysplastic nevi is the type of mole that is most likely to develop into melanoma and has various shades of pink and brown with blurred edges.

Melanomas can be identified by :

1. Symmetry : melanomas are generally irregular in shape
2. Color : melanomas are generally made of many colors including blue, black, red, white and brown.
3. Border : the border of a melanoma is not smooth but generally blurred in appearance.
4. Diameter : a melanoma will usually increase in size to about a quarter of an inch in diameter.

Protecting against skin cancer seems very complicated when in fact it really is not, some simple guidelines can help to decrease the risk of skin cancer.

1. To avoid exposure to the midday sun
2. eat a well-balanced healthy diet including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
3. use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 to protect skin from direct exposure to sunlight
4. wear sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays
5. wear clothing made of tightly woven fabric to protect your skin

References
1. Eat and heal. FC&A Medical Publishing
2. The Big Book of Health Tips. FC&A Medical Publishing