A mole check is a skin examination performed by a dermatologist to detect potential skin cancers, particularly melanoma. It involves a thorough visual inspection of your skin, paying close attention to existing moles and any new or changing skin lesions. The dermatologist will look for characteristics that may indicate cancerous or pre-cancerous changes.
What Happens During a Mole Check?
During a mole check, your dermatologist will:
- Examine your skin: They will systematically check your entire body, focusing on areas frequently exposed to the sun (hands, arms, chest, head). They'll also examine areas not typically exposed to sunlight.
- Note abnormal moles: Any moles that appear abnormal in size, shape, color, or other characteristics will be carefully documented.
- Consider taking a biopsy: If a mole shows suspicious changes, a small sample of tissue may be taken for microscopic examination to determine if it's cancerous (benign, melanoma, or other skin cancer). This helps diagnose the condition accurately.
- Utilize imaging (sometimes): Techniques like dermoscopy (a special magnifying lens) can be used to further examine moles. More advanced practices may incorporate mole mapping, using full-body photography to track changes in moles over time.
Why are Mole Checks Important?
Early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Regular mole checks, especially for individuals with a high risk of skin cancer (e.g., fair skin, many moles, family history), are crucial for preventative care. Regular monitoring allows the dermatologist to identify changes in lesions that look "suspicious." A change may prompt a skin biopsy, which helps determine if a lesion is benign, melanoma, or another type of skin cancer.
Key Differences Between Mole Checks and Other Procedures
While a "skin check" is a broad term referring to any examination of the skin for abnormalities, a mole check specifically focuses on moles and pigmented lesions. Mole mapping is a more advanced technique that uses full-body photography to track changes in moles over time. Both mole mapping and dermoscopy are valuable tools used within the context of a mole check.
