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Cancer-Updates

Moles and Cancer? What You Need to Know

13 de julio de 2021

4 min de lectura

Virtually everyone has a mole somewhere on the body. The average adult has between 10 and 40. Most moles appear between childhood and young adulthood.

Most of these small growths are harmless. However, there is a relationship between moles and skin cancer. That’s why it is important to know the signs of problematic moles and if you find one, see a dermatologist as soon as possible.

Risk Factors

People with numerous moles, 50 or more, are at greater risk of developing melanoma than those with relatively few. So are people with a family history of the disease.

Light-skinned individuals with fair hair and eyes are most likely to develop melanoma. Darker-skinned people are at a lower risk of developing melanoma from sun exposure but at more risk of melanomas affecting the feet and hands.

Melanoma and Moles

While there are various types of skin cancers, melanoma is by far the most deadly. It is also the type of skin cancer associated with moles.

Moles contain melanocytes, or cells containing pigment. Should these cells become malignant, the result is melanoma. Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body. The most common areas to which melanoma metastasizes include the:

Bones
Brain
Liver
Lungs

Keep in mind that moles are the not only sites for melanoma development. This skin cancer can look like a sore, bruise or pimple. Some melanomas appear on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet.

Early detection of melanoma is critical. While doctors might suspect melanoma due to specific changes in a mole, only a biopsy can confirm whether mole changes indicate cancer.

Since ultraviolet radiation from sun exposure is the reason most moles develop into melanomas, always protect your skin from the sun.

Avoid going outdoors in the heat of the day and always wear sunscreen. Stay away from tanning beds and sunlamps. Put on a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses when outdoors in hot weather. Further protect your skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants in hot weather. There are many lines of specially designed sun-protective clothing on the market.

Atypical Moles

Atypical moles are the ones most likely to develop skin cancer. Formally known as dysplastic nevi, these moles may appear anywhere on the body. Those that later become melanomas are usually found in sun-exposed areas, such as the back. Men diagnosed with melanoma most often have growths on the back, head, and neck, while in women they are frequently found on the legs and back.

Most dysplastic nevi do not turn into melanomas. Roughly 10 percent of adults have dysplastic nevi. Most atypical moles have dark brown centers with lighter borders. The more dysplastic nevi a person has, the higher the melanoma risk.

The CDC recommends the A, B, C, D, E method for recognizing possible melanomas. Changes in a mole or a new mole that could indicate cancer include:

A–Asymmetrical. Is mole irregularly shaped with two parts appearing differently? The two halves do not match.
B–Border. Is there an irregular or jagged border?
C–Color. Is there uneven coloration? Melanomas may include shades of brown, black, or tan. Some may have red, gray, or white areas.
D–Diameter. Is the mole larger than a pea? Most melanomas are more than ¼ inch in diameter.
E–Evolving. Have there been changes in the mole’s appearance recently? Has it begun to bleed or itch? E also stands for elevation, another potential warning sign of cancer.

Removing Atypical Moles

Since most atypical moles do not become melanoma, there is no need to routinely remove them. The doctor will remove moles that are showing changes.

Ridding the body of moles does not prevent melanoma, because there are only ways in which this disease can manifest.

Do Not Scratch a Mole

Researchers at Sloan Kettering Institute have discovered a possible link between scratching moles and skin cancer. Such scratching has never been known to trigger skin cancer, but there is increasing evidence that inflammation can change abnormal cells into tumors.

While it is long been known that chronic inflammation can contribute to cancer, including colon and gastric cancer, recent research indicates short-term inflammation may also prove a culprit.

While there is no documented evidence that mole scratching may lead to melanoma, there is no sense in aggravating the area.

Keep Track of Moles

Keep track of any changes to your skin, especially moles. In conjunction with annual visits to a dermatologist, self-tracking is the best way to detect skin cancer in its earliest stages, when it is most curable.

Give yourself a thorough mole check once a month. Remember that normal moles are an even color and round or oval.

Use a mirror to check every inch of your body.

Take photos regularly of moles, so you can make comparisons and detect subtle changes. If you note changes or see new moles, schedule a visit with the dermatologist.

Sources

Common Moles, Dysplastic Nevi, and Risk of Melanoma - National Cancer Institute

Atypical Moles - The Skin Cancer Foundation

How to Spot Cancerous Moles – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer? | CDC

Don't Scratch That Mole? Scientists Are Learning More about Inflammation and Cancer | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org)

Información general, no consejo médico

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