Why You Should Get Your Moles Checked ASAP
Melanoma is the most hazardous kind of skin cancer. Although it is common to have moles, it is difficult to tell whether it is melanoma or not. This is why you should consult a dermatologist in Singapore to get your moles checked asap.
Everything About Moles
Every person can have a minimum of one mole or naevus on his body. Caucasians may typically 500-600 moles. Comparatively, Asians usually have up to 100 moles only. On average, it is safe to have 10-40 moles on your body by the time you are an adult.
Practically, we do not perform mole examinations as it is time-consuming. You can quickly estimate your melanoma risk by counting moles on your arm. However, it is uncommon among Asians to have above 100 moles, and you need to be cautious in using such estimation methods.
You can do more than using sunscreen or limiting your exposure to sunlight, and you can decrease your chances of developing melanoma or detect and treat it in the early stages by merely checking your body for moles.
Danger Signals
An occasional change in a mole’s appearance can be severe.
Singapore has a comparatively lower incidence of melanoma. It is so because darker skin protects the body from harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. But we must pay proper attention to melanoma as it is amongst the most hazardous skin cancers.
Doctors suggest that you should examine yourself regularly. It would help if you inspected all body areas, including your hands, feet, nail, and even genitals. Moreover, most skin cancers, including melanoma, do not usually show any symptoms till developing late stages. If you observe changes in moles or continued growth, you should seek medical advice. Although melanoma can show up in any area, it mostly occurs in the local population as ‘acral lentiginous melanoma,’ including your hand, feet, and under the nails.
Some people show concerns about hair growth on their moles. Remember that it is a healthy sign as their follicles are in good condition. However, you can cut the unwanted hair but never pluck the hair on moles because it can severely irritate that mole.
Why Should We Check Our Skin For Moles?
The skin is amongst the few organs you can see and is the biggest organ. It is crucial to be cautious in avoiding melanoma, especially if your skin is fair or you have several moles. Besides, be overcautious if you have a family history of skin cancer, or your close family has several moles or some unusual moles.
Skin experts (dermatologists) suggest that we should check our skin monthly. A majority of moles do not end up as cancer. If you see a minor or significant variation in the colour or mole’s appearance, you should consult a dermatologist in Singapore. It is all the more necessary if your moles are painful. Severe conditions include bleeding, itchiness, scales, tenderness, oozing, etc.
How can I check for moles?
- Examine your skin every month, preferably after taking a bath when the skin is a little wet.
- Use a hand mirror and a full-size mirror if possible. You can also take the help of a friend or family member to check your back or other challenging places.
- Examine every month without leaving any area. Start from the top and move downwards. Ensure to include the front, back, and sides of all places, even your fingernails. Don’t even miss the remote areas like the places between the fingers or toes, groin, soles, and backside of knees.
- Also, check your neck and scalp thoroughly.
- Furthermore, you may keep records of how your moles look. You can take pictures along with a ruler beneath the mole. That way, it may be easier to track changes. You should consult a dermatologist if you see changes in colour size, shape, and border, including sores that don’t heal.
Things To Watch When You Check Moles
The following A-B-C-D-E indicates the symptoms of cancerous moles. You should consult a dermatologist if you observe the following symptoms.
A: Asymmetry
One side of the mole does not tally the other side.
B: Border
When the mole edges or borders have rag, blur, or irregularity
C: Color
If the moles have many colours or may have different shades of brown, black, red, blue, or white
D: Diameter
The mole width is more significant than an eraser of a pencil
E: Elevation or Evolution
The mole has risen from your skin and has changed.
Be cautious of new moles developing after 30 years of age. However, many such growths are age-related and harmless, but you should always checked your moles asap with your dermatologist, who can examine such development with biopsy and treat them accordingly.
The most common body area for melanoma in women is the lower leg at 25-29 age. In the case of men, it is usually the back area.
Moles can grow in the skin or mucosal areas like the mouth, eyes, or genitals. If you have a severe family history of skin cancer, you should also conduct an annual health checkup in addition to routine consultation with your dermatologist. You can have yearly moles checked asap with the dentist, eye doctor, and gynaecologist to check the likelihood of moles in these unusual places.