When should you worry about that mole?
MOST of us have moles and see them as black spots that we were either born with or developed over time.
But while most moles are harmless, some are worth getting a second opinion on, as they may be a form of skin cancer.
According to Dr Varunesh Chand, consultant general surgeon at Liguanea Pro Medical Centre, a mole is a benign (non-cancerous) skin tumour that develops from the pigment-producing cells of the body. However, he said most people have moles, but abnormal changes in them may suggest the development of melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer.
“Virtually everyone will have some moles and almost all are harmless. A normal mole is usually an evenly coloured brown, tan, or black spot on the skin. It can be either flat or raised and round or oval. Moles are usually less than six millimetres across. A mole can be present at birth, or it can appear during childhood or young adulthood. Once a mole has developed, it will usually stay the same size, shape, and colour for many years, while some may eventually fade away. However, it is important to recognise changes, which may suggest the development of a melanoma,” he said.
Dr Chand added that the risk of melanoma is about 20 times less in our predominantly dark skinned West Indian population, compared to Caucasians due to the additional melanin or pigment in the skin.
“As a result, most of the skin cancer warning messages are geared toward fair-skinned individuals with blue eyes and blonde or red hair who sunburn easily. However, once diagnosed, survival has been shown to be lower in the black population, largely as a result of delays in diagnosis and treatment,” he said.
He added that in our population, melanoma most often develops on non-sun-exposed skin, such as the palm, foot, under the nails and the mucous membranes of the mouth, nasal passages or genitals.
Below Dr Chand explains the ABCDE properties, which he said are a useful guide to features in a mole, any of which warrant an urgent visit to a dermatologist, cosmetic or general surgeon.
A — Asymmetry. According to Dr Chand this means one half of the mole is unlike the other half.
B — Border. “The mole has an irregular or poorly defined border,” Dr Chand said.
C — Colour. If the colour of the mole is varied from one area to another, then he suggests seeing a doctor.
D — Diameter. Dr Chand said when the mole is larger than six millimetres across, which is about the width of a pencil eraser, then it should be assessed.
E — Evolving. He said if the mole is changing in size, shape or colour then a visit to the doctor is needed.
According to Dr Chand, other warning signs include a sore that does not heal; spread of pigment from the border of a mole to surrounding skin; redness or a new swelling beyond the border; change in sensation, which involves itchiness, tenderness or pain; and change in the surface of a mole — scaliness, oozing, bleeding, or the appearance of a bump or nodule.
Dr Chand stated that even for doctors it is sometimes difficult to tell the difference between melanoma and an ordinary mole, therefore, if you are unsure of the appearance or if it is in a location that is difficult to see, then show it to your doctor.
— Kimberley Hibbert
