Dermatology, Cosmetic Surgery, Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery & Laser Surgery

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Category: Mole Removal

Do I Have a Mole or Skin Cancer?

Mole ExamFreckles, sun spots, fairy kisses… it doesn’t matter what you call them; most everyone has moles. When melanocytes grow in clusters on the skin, a mole develops, and sun exposure and hormones can cause them to take on the traditional dark color we associate with moles. Congenital nevi are moles present at birth, while dysplastic nevi are moles that occur after birth. Unfortunately, moles have the potential to be more dangerous than you think; both types of moles can turn into skin cancer over time. So, how do you know when it’s time to see your doctor?

Know Your ABCDEs

You should monitor any suspicious mole once a month and contact your health care professional if you believe any of your moles are abnormal. A simple ABCDE rule will help you evaluate your moles for possible skin cancer. The following may be a cause for concern:

  • Asymmetry – one half of your mole doesn’t match the other
  • Borders – your mole has an irregular border rather than smooth, round edges
  • Color – your mole is a color other than brown or has inconsistent coloring such as various shades of brown
  • Diameter – your mole has a large diameter or approximately 6 mm or more
  • Evolving – your mole changes in size, shape, or color at any time

Avoid Developing Skin Cancer

While you can develop skin cancer without being born with moles, congenital nevi can develop into cancer. The key for any skin type is to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. UVA and UVB rays can mutate your natural skin cells, causing uncontrollable cellular growth (cancer). Don’t stay in the sun for long periods of time. Always wear a broad-spectrum UV sunscreen, and apply it regularly when exposed to the sun for more than a few hours.

See a Physician

If you believe that you have a questionable mole, schedule a consultation with a board-certified dermatologist at Skin Physicians & Surgeons. We provide in-office screenings of possible skin cancers. We diagnose and treat all of our patients. Removing cancerous moles before they spread is the best way to keep you healthy.

Remove Unsightly Moles

Even if your mole isn’t cancerous, you can still have it removed to ensure beautiful, flawless skin. Mole removal is a simple procedure performed in our medical office. We exam all removed moles to ensure they aren’t cancerous. Great care is taken to minimize scar development to maintain the beauty of your complexion.   

 
To schedule your dermatology appointment with a doctor at Skin Physicians & Surgeons, call us at 909-981-8929 or contact us online.

Holy Moley! (Mole Removal)

Also known as “nevi,” moles are groups of darkened (pigmented) cells that can appear on various areas of the body. Moles come in many sizes and can be smooth, raised, or wrinkled. The average person has about 100 of these spots on their body! (Holy moley!)

Suspicious Moles

Unfortunately, a lot of these “beauty marks” aren’t very appealing, and some can even pose a health risk. Although most moles are initially benign, they can potentially become cancerous. Therefore, it is important to perform a self-exam once a month and have a full body skin exam every two to three years (or yearly if you have a family or personal history of skin cancer). These exams check for suspicious moles to help identify potential skin cancers so they can be addressed as soon as possible.

ABCDEs of Melanoma

Be on the lookout for the following (ABCDE) mole characteristics that may be warning signs of skin cancer: 

    • A: Asymmetry
    • B: Borders that are uneven or notched
    • C: Color variations (more than one color, or red, white, or blue)
    • D: Diameter larger than a pencil tip eraser (¼ inch or 6mm)
    • E: Evolving in any way (size, shape, color, elevation, itching, bleeding, etc.)

 

Famous Moles

Some celebrities have had their famous moles removed to ensure their safety. Ewan McGregor had several moles removed, and one of them proved to be cancerous. Enrique Iglesias had his trademark mole removed after his doctor told him it could become cancerous. Although Iglesias was nervous about having his mole removed, the quick procedure was done in five minutes.

A Simple Removal Process

We commonly perform mole removal procedures in our medical office. Mole removal is a very safe, simple, and painless process when performed by a professional. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic, and the mole is removed flush with the skin. If necessary, an excision technique and sutures may be used. We then have the mole examined to determine whether or not it is cancerous.

If you’re concerned about a mole for cosmetic reasons or suspicious characteristics, call us at (909) 981-8929 or fill out our online contact form for more information. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Sandra Lee looks forward to helping you achieve peace of mind and a more attractive appearance.

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