Melanoma: How Can You Check If Your Mole is a Type of Skin Cancer?

Caused by clusters of pigmented cells and small dark brown spots. Mayo clinic described the nevi as a common type of skin growth. Also called moles, according to the clinic, they usually appear during childhood until adolescence. They can grow from numbers of 10 to 40, some may stay, and some may fade away. 

Did you know that your little, cute, rounded friends can be dangerous in some instances? But don't worry, most moles are harmless and will just accompany you throughout your lifetime. But some moles can give you a serious dilemma in the future, such as skin cancers. Mayo Clinic emphasized the importance of monitoring your moles as they can become skin cancer. 

Yes, you read that right. The moles on your skin can be malignant melanoma. 

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British Skin Foundation stated that melanomas are less-common types of skin cancer; however, it is one of the disease's dangerous forms. The foundation added that melanomas could develop from existing moles, but they usually appear as new marks on the skin. According to them, melanomas can be found on different parts of the body, but they usually appear on the trunk of men and women's legs.

How can I examine my moles if they are melanoma?

Before you lose your heart out in fear, take a deep breath, and read this. There are various steps on how to determine that friend of yours can be very dangerous. The Skin Cancer Foundation shared the ABCDEs of Melanoma.

• Asymmetry. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, most melanomas are asymmetrical. They said that if you draw a line in the center, the two-section do not match. They look different from round to symmetrical oval mole, which is usually common.
• Border. The edges of melanoma are not uneven, and they are usually scalloped or jagged. Skin Cancer Foundation said that common moles have smooth and even borders.
• Color. Skin Cancer foundation emphasized that the color of the mole can identify it as a problem. Benign melanomas are usually brown or tan colored, but colors white, red, and blue may appear on the mole as they grow or develop.
• Diameter or Dark. The foundation stressed that it is ideal for locating melanoma when it is still small. It is a warning sign if the abrasion is the size of a pencil eraser or larger. 
• Evolving. Any change in color, shape, size, or elevation of a spot in your skin may be a warning sign of melanoma. New symptoms such as bleeding, crusting, or itching can also be a sign of the disease. 

Another method given by the Skin Cancer Foundation is the ugly duckling method, wherein you will compare the suspected mole to the adjacent mole and try to see if they have a difference. This method believes that all moles should resemble each other. 

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What should you do if you have the disease?

Let's say you already did the methods to be used in determining whether that mole of yours is melanoma, and sadly, it is a skin cancer from your observation; here's what you should do. American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends having your mole tested by your dermatologist. They said that these could help the doctor determine if the melanoma has already spread beyond the skin after that. They said that surgeries are often part of the treatment to discard all the melanomas from your body. 

This only happens when your mole turns out to be a melanoma or skin cancer. If it is not, then lucky you because you won't have to undergo the process of trauma and stress melanoma can cause an individual. Make it a habit to check your moles so that if you find things unusual, you can immediately consult a doctor.

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