Welcome to GoodToKnow

Other sites in our network: What's on TV, Now, Pick Me Up, Puzzles and Prizes
Branding_print

Skin cancer awareness: keep your moles safe

Skin cancer awareness: Keep your moles safe

Ewan McGregor has recently had two moles removed from his face, as his doctor was worried they could have caused cancer.

Moles can be pretty odd-looking things, so how do you know when one's 'gone bad' and how do you stop it happening?

We've teamed up with Cancer Research UK to bring you a guide to help protect you against skin cancer, and how to check for the early signs of melanoma.

What are moles?

A mole is a collection of 'pigment' cells under the skin. Pigment cells are what give our skin its colour, which is why a collection of them will appear darker.

Most moles develop after birth and throughout our childhood and 20s. They can appear for no reason or after being out in the sun.

Why can moles be dangerous?

There is a risk that a mole may become melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. Survival rates for people with melanoma are relatively high with 78% of men and 91% of women being alive five years after diagnoses.

But it's really important melanoma is caught early and the lump removed - this will usually be done under a local anaesthetic by your doctor.

How do I keep my moles safe?

Stay out of the sun between 11am and 3pm and make sure you never burn. If you have to go out when it's very sunny, wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 and cover up with loose clothes and a hat.

Most importantly, go to your doctor if you have any moles or lumps on the skin you are concerned about.

When should I go to my doctor?

If you have any moles which itch, bleed or hurt or any new lumps or sores on your skin which won't heal, go and see your doctor.

You should regularly check your moles and keep an eye on any of them that appear to be changing shape or size. Specifically, you should be looking for any of your moles that fall into the following four categories.

Click on the description in our A-D guide to melanomas to see a picture of the mole. They may not make for pretty viewing, but it's really important you know what you're looking for...

A - Asymmetry

B - Border

C - Colour

D - Diameter

Where to next?

- Other skin conditions
- Treatment and outlook for skin cancer
- Understanding the skin

By Beth Ivory

Share this article

Find out more

Your stories & tips

Quick Tips
  • Be the first to share a tip on this subject, click here
Your Stories
  • Be the first to share a story on this subject, click here


If you want to comment on this article, leave a tip or a story, please fill in the box below.

No comments

Add a comment

Please enter the characters in the image:

Elsewhere on goodtoknow


Join goodtoknow's Diet club now!

Enter your details below to get a free diet profile

weight

height

age

sex


Today's competition

Win! BT home phone

Win! BT home phone

We've got 5 of these Stratus phones to give away


Health

Dementia: Your questions answered

Dementia: Your questions answered

If you're going through it with a loved one, make sure you've got all the facts

Plus...




goodtoknow poll

When reading about health online, would you prefer the information to be in the form of a...


  • Question and answer article 40%
  • A long piece covering all aspects of a condition 26%
  • A quiz 6%
  • A picture gallery 4%
  • A news story about new breakthroughs 4%
  • Tips on how to be generally healthier 19%


Visit other sites in our network:

Our sister magazines are:


Visit our associated sites: