Moles

Everybody has moles (nevi) and though most moles are harmless, some may be very dangerous to skin health.

Each mole has its own growth pattern; at first it may be flat and tan or pink in color, but over time a mole will usually enlarge and develop some hair. The end of the mole’s cycle may develop in it fading or falling off.

Pregnancy or birth control early in life can affect the appearance or emergence of moles.

Certain types of moles have a higher-than-average risk of becoming cancerous. They may develop into a form of skin cancer known as malignant melanoma.

• Congenital nevi are moles present at birth. These moles may be more likely to develop a melanoma than moles that appear after birth.
• Dysplastic nevi or atypical moles are larger than average (usually larger than a pencil eraser) and irregular in shape. They tend to have uneven color with dark brown centers and lighter, sometimes reddish, uneven border or black dots at edge. These moles often run in families. People with dysplastic nevi may have a greater chance of developing malignant melanoma and should be seen regularly to check for any changes that might indicate skin cancer.

Recognizing the early warning signs of malignant melanoma is important.

• Asymmetry: one half unlike the other half.
• Border: irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border
• Color: varied from one area to another; shades of tan and brown, black; sometimes white, red or blue.
• Diameter: while melanomas are usually greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
• Evolving: a mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape, or color.