How can I Tell the Difference Between a Mole and Skin Cancer?

health wellness

With skin cancer on the rise, many people are interested in discovering the difference between a mole and skin cancer. This is not always something that can be determined by an untrained person examining his or her moles. Often the best method for determining the difference between a mole and a skin cancer is through examination of the mole by a doctor, and through laboratory tests on some of the cells from the mole to determine abnormal cells.

There are a few things which can help the layperson decide the difference between a mole and skin cancer. Most moles are symmetrical, and are either round or oval in shape. Their edges are round, and you could essentially fold the mole in half and join the edges together.

If the mole is not round or oval shaped, and the mole is not symmetrical, this may delineate the difference between a mole and skin cancer. Moles that have blurred edges, or an unsymmetrical form are more likely to be cancerous, though this is not always the case. At the very least, these moles should be examined by a doctor and possibly scrapings of the mole should be evaluated for cancerous cells.

Another aspect to consider when determining the difference between a mole and skin cancer is growth potential of the mole. As an adult, one can expect most moles to stay the same size. If a mole begins to exhibit rapid growth, it is more likely to be cancerous.

It is more difficult to determine the difference between a mole and skin cancer in children, as moles may not have fully grown. One can take a few things into consideration besides size and shape. Children with many moles, over 100, called dysplastic nevi, are more prone to skin cancer. Family history of dysplastic nevi or of actual skin cancer also increases risk. Repeated damage from the sun in the form of skin cancer can also help one determine the difference between a mole and skin cancer.

In most cases, skin cancer is portrayed by the media as a terrible disease, which can rapidly metastasize and cause death without treatment. These media sources are almost always referring to the presence of malignant melanoma, the least common of skin cancers. While they are accurate in describing the symptoms of malignant melanoma, they inaccurately refer to it by the term skin cancer.

There are three types of skin cancer. The two most common types, in addition to the less common melanoma, are basal cell skin cancer, and squamous cell skin cancer. Basal and squamous cell cancer tend not to be dangerous to the other systems of the body. They can result in large moles that generally must be removed. However they are not typically deadly. Moles that spread rapidly tend to be of the basal cell or squamous cell type. While they should be removed, they do not warrant unnecessary panic. One may need to take a day or two off of work to recover from these mole removals, as the cells often are deep into the skin layers.

The most important rule in assessing the difference between a mole and skin cancer is to check with a doctor whenever you have doubts about a mole. If you have large moles, you may want to take pictures of these, or measurements, to be certain they have not changed. Seek medical attention right away if you note significant changes in a mole. Avoid sun exposure and use a high SPF sunscreen when outside, as skin damage resulting from repeated sun exposure is the biggest causal factor in any of the skin cancers.

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New: Discuss this Article

Posted by: mountain818
I have a mole above my vagina. it comes up above the skin slightly, so its not a big round mole, but it is in a circular shape, its smaller that the eraser bottom of a pencil. Its light brown all around except to little blotches of dark brown, i havent noticed it until today. It doesnt hurt or irritate me, but is it a cancer mole? and im only 16.
Posted by: WGwriter
For those curious about moles that may seem weird-- it is always better to have any mole that concerns you evaluated by a physician. It takes a few minutes, and they may take a small sample of the mole. Skin cancer, particularly of the melanoma type is serious business that can easily metastasize to other organs. Always check with a doctor if you are concerned about the size, shape, color or behavior of a mole.
Posted by: Tabi730
I have a mole on my leg that stays a flesh color most of the time. It is slightly raised up and doesn't hurt when it is peach colored. Sometimes it changes colors. It gets blood red with a light red rash on the skin around the mole and gets sore, and sometimes it turns black. It will stay this way for a few days the go back to the peach color. Any ideas of what this may be?
Posted by: anon12196
I am 14 and I have a mole above my lip and under my nose and the nose one hurts pretty bad..does that mean anything?

Posted by: anon3858
If you have any concern at all, you should go to a doctor or dermatologist!! If the mole is cancerous, and you catch it early it can be easily removed. I recently had a mole removed from my back that was basal cell skin cancer. Removing it stopped the cancer from spreading- and I'm fine. I also had another removed on my chest because it looked like it could become cancerous.

The one on my back itched and had accidentally opened a few times. I had no idea that that was dangerous until my mom saw it. The one on my chest was asymmetrical. It was a cluster of brown bumps, but some of them were sticking out in odd directions. (It kind of looked like a "P")

I'm only 21 folks. I'm Mrs. sit under the umbrella, with my clothes on, with 50 spf on, reapplying constantly. I don't tan. I burn. Now that I've had a cancerous mole, I have a 40% more of skin cancer in the future.

Please protect yourself, and if you THINK something is wrong, go to a doctor, google pictures of cancerous moles. Do something! It could save your life.

Posted by: kinky
Ok. About a year ago I was dong my hair and I noticed a mole on my head about the size of a pea. and I was told not to worry about it but it has changed it has a white dot in the middle of it now. And I noticed another one like 3 inches to the left of the 1st one the second on is really light. Im 15 and I dont know if I should worry about them?
Posted by: anon1461
about 2 years ago one day while doing my hair i noticed i had a new mole about the size of the end of a pencil eraser on my ear i was shocked like it just apeared over night since then it has stayed the same size and has not grown it is round in shape should i be concerned right now i have no health insurance so i have not got it checked
Posted by: anon1452
I have a mole on my back, and today I just noticed a mole on my leg! I am only 14, so I hope its okay. I know you can devolp moles untill you are 20.
Posted by: anon1232
I have had a mole on my head since i was born(13 years ago) i think. i also had a big one on my back which was removed and i have a few small ones on my body which look like freckles to be honest but the doctor says they are small moles.

Recently the mole on my head has started to hurt and I'm really scared it could be cancerous :(

What do you think?

Posted by: anon817
i have a mole that on my nose that has been here for 23 years. over he past couple of months I've noticed that it has been growing and changing colors. it went from blcak to a light brown ash color. should i be concerened?

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