How to spot if a mole is cancerous

As the years go by, our skin loses it springy freshness – and mysterious lumps and bumps start to appear.

These blemishes can come in all shapes and sizes, and many are harmless.

But slight changes could be a red flag: skin cancer is the second most common form of the disease in people under 50. 

Melanoma, a type of skin cancer, is one of the most treatable cancers. If caught early, the entire cancer could be removed simply by removing the mole in question.

Basal cell carcinoma is even more manageable – only rare cases spread beyond the site. 

And yet, experts warn, the rate of early detection could be much higher. 

‘Many people are afraid of checking,’ Dr David Fisher, director of the Melanoma Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Daily Mail Online. 

‘It’s one of those fear and denial-type things. People would rather not know than find out something scary or devastating.

‘But the thing is, six out of seven melanoma cases are cured just by catching it early and removing it. In other words, early detection could be life-saving.’

He added: ‘That statistic should help motivate people to be really proactive, to realize that there’s a benefit to this.

‘Not every cancer has that type of opportunity to catch it so early. This type of cancer does.’ 

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Moles are clusters of cells that produce a pigment in your skin.

The more moles someone has on their body, the higher the risk of melanoma.

Risk also increases if you have fair skin and red hair, if you sunbathe and if you use sunbeds. 

Of course, not all moles are dangerous: it’s normal to have them.

However, it can be easy to spot ones that are worth worrying about.

Dermatologists use a simple list of five warning signs, using the rule ABCDE. 

This animation (above) explains how they work.  

A – asymmetry

This means spotting an irregular shaped mole. 

B – borders

Look to see if there are ragged edges to the mole.

C – color change

If a mole changes in color or is a different color in one part than in another.

D – diameter 

Any increase in size should be checked out, but particularly more than about 6mm across.

E – elevation 

In this graphic, the E section is classed as ‘elevation’, telling you to watch out for the mole raising from the surface, especially if it is irregularly raised. 

However, Dr Fisher explains, many dermatologists have different classifications for this. 

His preferred word is ‘evolving’. 

‘Is it changing? Do you notice anything suspicious or concerning? That is key,’ he says. 

‘You need to have a very low threshold for what counts as “concerning”. I have yet to find a patient who is mad because it wasn’t melanoma. It’s always worth checking.’

• To learn more about moles and what to look out for, visit AXA PPP healthcare.