Conditions
Skin Cancer
If your bronze permatan would make David Dickinson envious, and you regularly fry yourself on sun-drenched beaches or pay for blasts of the artificial stuff at a salon, then you could be increasing your risk of skin cancer. Since the 1980s the number of cases has rapidly increased, reaching around 69,000 new diagnoses every year. Melanoma indicated by the presence of malignant moles is one of the main types of skin cancer. However, not all moles are harmful, usually only those that either suddenly appear or are irregular in colour or shape. There are also non-melanoma types of cancer which include basal cell (a smooth bump or a flat crusty and scaly spot) and squamous cell cancer (a red lump or a flat scaly crust-like lesion). You can still venture out into the daylight, but check your skin regularly and use high factor protection in the sun. If in doubt, consult your GP.
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have a mole on my vagina, it is pretty big. i've been to the doctors and they said they can't do anything because its not irratating me, is there not a freeze spray or cream out there that will get rid of it?
I have a mole on the side of my left breast which is about 6mm and it can become very itchy now and then. Should I be worried? Having said that,I do have very sensitive skin and I find myself itching all over my body especially my stomach and legs. I also tend to get a patchy red rash on my chest and neck after I have a shower, even when I just wash myself with water.Any ideas as to what this might be?
I have a mole about the size of a pea on my arm and it doesnt bother me till now. A sort of spot has appeared next to it with like three white spots inside it and im not sure if its just a spot or not. What shall i do ?
Can you have your moles removed even if there is nothing wrong with them?
my son is 6 years old and has a few moles over his body, as is usually normal. 2 of his larger, more noticeable moles have almost disappeared, leaving a bleached like affect to his skin so you can see where the moles were. how can moles disappear, i've never heard of it happening before?
I am 43 and every year i dread looking closely at my body for the amount of new moles that have appeared. I have so many of them now I only buy long sleeved tops and I dread summer. I often wish to be able to go to the doctor and say please can you look at my entire body and check for signs, I can barely look at myself. My esteem is extremely low. I have had a few moles scraped and removed using various techniques from my face and neck. Once these had initially healed my esteem was so much better. When I go to my gp I cant bring myself to talk about this, in the past I have mentioned it and he puts me off, telling me to come back in so many months time etc. Its the physcological discomfort that makes me feel so depressed. I used to love going swimming but feel unable to go, I feel as if Im missing out on life!What can I do?
hi i am 16 years old and i hate my moles i have alot of moles on my back and my arms i am ashamed of them i dont let any one see them . and also there are some different darkness to them ??? please me x
I'm 22 and have an orangey coloured mole above my lip. I have had it since i was about 8 but recently its started to itch and it's getting my confidence down. I really want it removed what implications might this have?
Hey, i have this mole on my face but i though it was a black head so i tried to squeese it, now i have a mark under my skin under my mole, it looks like its gone septic, please help?
hi im 17 and i have relised that some of my moles have got bigger and some have grown on the palm of my hands. why is this ??
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The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.