Many of us have been there. We are looking at ourselves in the mirror when, suddenly, we spot a mark that hasn’t been there before. We might brush it off assuming it’s a mole, but there it is….lurking in the back of our minds….could it be…skin cancer?

Of course, it’s always best to seek the advice of a medical professional in these instances, but here are some ways you can tell if you need to run to a doctor.

What’s the Difference?

Moles are common brown spots that appear on the skin. They can be flat or elevated and are generally round or regularly shaped.

Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. When it appears on the skin, it will manifest as an asymmetrical, irregularly bordered, multi-colored or tan/brown spot or growth that will continue to grow over time. It may also have well defined borders and may darken over time. It is typically larger than a ¼” in size.

It can be difficult to determine whether what you are seeing is a mole or melanoma. Even a doctor may have to examine the mark with a magnifying device and send a sample to be tested to determine its nature. However, telling signs may be itching, pain, elevation, bleeding, crusting, oozing, swelling, a bluish-black color and persisting open sores which accompany the mole.

Asymmetrical moles may not be cancerous but can develop to be cancer over time. Be sure to keep an eye on any moles that appear on your body that look suspicious to make sure they do not exhibit signs of melanoma.

Prevention Tips

In general, it is best to do a self-screening for melanoma on a regular basis. Melanoma usually first appears on the lower back, but it could appear on any part of the skin. To screen thoroughly, start at your head and work your way down.

Check hidden areas like those between your fingers and toes, the groin, the soles of your feet, the backs of your knees, your scalp and neck. You may need to call on a friend or family member for help or use a handheld mirror to ensure you are being thorough.

If you develop a new mole, be sure to keep tabs on it by taking pictures to monitor its development.

Melanoma is a highly treatable form of cancer if its spotted early on. Do your best to be on the look-out for moles that develop and monitor them carefully to be sure you can keep cancer from spreading. Taking these important steps will help you maintain your health for years to come.

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Photo by pranav jain on Unsplash