A mole is a common, non-cancerous growth of the pigment cells in the skin.

The medical term for mole is MELANOCYTIC NEVUS.

Moles usually develop during the first year of life and continue to develop throughout your teens and 20’s.

During puberty, moles may darken or increase in size or number – this is also true during pregnancy.

The average person has 10-20 moles – and these moles are usually 5mm or less – ( about a quarter inch )

All skin colors and ethnicities develop moles, and men and women develop moles equally

Moles are usually asymptomatic, or free of problems unless irritated by clothing or external sources such as a sunburn, topical creams, or other stimuli.

So, how do you know when a mole needs to be evaluated by a dermatology provider?

There is a SIMPLE WAY to remember WHAT you should know about your moles –

It’s the ABC way……………….actually, the abcde way………………..

So, lets get started……………..

A stands for ASYMMETRY -

Asymmetry in a mole’s color, texture, shape or margins means that it is NOT the “same” throughout –

Visually, divide your mole in half –

if there is any asymmetry, such as an odd shape,

the two halves will not appear the same.

Most moles will appear the symmetrical, but something that looks suspicious or asymmetrical, will require an expert’s evaluation.

If anything seems suspicious to your skin care provider,

it will be up to them to determine if any further testing, such as a biopsy needs to be performed.

A biopsy is a small section of skin that is removed from the mole area that is sent to a specialist who can views this biopsy under a microscope to determine the need for further treatment or not.

B – stands for border –

You want to look at the borders of the mole and determine if the borders are well defined – or ill-defined.

Well defined margins, or borders let you see exactly where the mole begins and ends –

There is a distinct difference between the mole and the adjacent skin – like a dot of ink on a piece of paper.

Less distinct margins would imply a border that is not well defined –

( where you do not see the beginning and end of the mole )–

it is more diffuse, or fades from the actual mole into the adjacent skin – without sharp, clear borders.

I include bleeding under B as well.

If you have a mole that bleeds, it should be evaluated.

Most bleeding is likely due to an accidental scratch, or catching by clothing or jewelry – but it should be evaluated to rule out anything more serious.

C stands for COLOR -

Is the color of the mole even throughout ?

moles are usually brown – darker than you overall skin tone – BUT EVEN THROUGHOUT

if you have a mole where the color is uneven;

WHERE THERE ARE darker areas within the mole, around the margins, or along THE ADJACENT SKIN, THIS SHOULD BE EVALUATED.

D IS FOR Diameter

if the diameter is greater that 6mm – which is about the size of a pencil top eraser – they should be checked by a skin care specialist

most moles are less than 6mm so anything greater than 6 mm should be evaluated regulary, usually once a year

E –stands for extension –

does the mole margin extend beyond the actual base of the mole ?

Is the mole raised but the pigment is extending beyond the raised part of the mole?

This too, requires an evaluation by a skin specialist who can diagnose and biopsy anything suspicious.

OK, so lets review …………………

A is for asymmetry

B – for Borders / BLEEDING ??

C – color

D – Diameter

E – Extension – into the surrounding skin

Now that you know what to look for – Lets go over the factors that can contribute to a change from a normal mole into an abnormal mole.

1. A history of a blistering sunburn where the mole is located

2. A family history of malignant melanoma

3. A personal history of malignant melanoma

3. Moles that develop on skin areas NOT exposed to sunlight – such as areas covered by swim suits –

4. Having greater than 20 pigmented moles

5. Being extremely fair skinned, with light hair, and light eyes.

Take an inventory of your moles. Evaluate your skin or have someone close to you check the areas you cannot see –

Your skin care specialist can perform a head to toe mole check for you – documenting each and every mole, along with size, color and shape.

A photograph of your moles can be an invaluable tool for future reference – especially during yearly visits.

Once a year, you should have your moles re-evaluated. Your provider can examine your moles and compare the ABCs of your moles to that of the previous year and photograph, – determining any new changes or not.

This can be a life saving piece of information should you have a change in a mole that proves to be malignant at some point in the future.

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