Video
Body Check: Moles
Moles are generally harmless but they can lead to a deadly form of skin cancer called a malignant melanoma. In this video, Dr Christian explains what to look out for when checking your moles.
New moles can develop at any time. Moles generally come in a range of shapes, sizes and colours. They are normally nothing to worry about, unless they start to change and develop unusual characteristics. Use the simple A B C D rule to spot these changes.
A – Asymmetry, a mole shouldn’t differ from one side to the other.
B – Border, the edges of the mole shouldn’t be blurred or jagged.
C – Colour, look out for any changes in colour or patchy shades.
D – Diameter, check to see if a mole increases in size or if it is larger than 6mm across.
Also check to see if a mole reddens itches, crusts or bleeds and if you spot any of these changes, make an appointment and see your GP.
We want to hear about your findings, so please click the link below and add your results to our national survey.
+++Update+++
From the 13th – 20th May 2009 we conducted a National Health Survey to find out how many people had potentially problematic moles. Below are the detailed results.
Most of you who responded had normal looking moles, but around 10% of you found ones with either asymmetric or irregular borders. These are often benign, but if you are worried, or you spot changes to your moles, get them checked out. A good way to check for changes is to take a photo of your mole at regular intervals. That way you can judge whether the mole is changing, and take the pictures to your doctor if necessary.
Around a fifth of you reported itchy moles. This is definitely something that you should see your GP about, especially if they are painful or start to bleed regularly.
A small number of you also reported moles that had reddened suddenly, which comes under the ‘c’ for change warning sign. This can be a normal pigment change, but it could also be indicative of a mole turning malignant, so should be checked out by a medical professional.
Normal Moles – 56%
Irregular Border – 3%
Uneven Colour – 1%
Assymetric – 9%
Large Diameter – 8%
None – 23%
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
Im 28 and I have a mole under my right breast that has become increasingly larger in the lat 6-12 months. It is around 10mm wide and has a lighter shade of brown border and isn't a perfect rounded shape and is dark in the middle. I went to see my GP who has referred me to a specialist to get it checked out. She said she wasn't an expert on moles so referred me. I have to wait 2 weeks but I am concerned, please advise.
hi i have a mole on my left hip i've always had it there but it used to be flat like a freckal over the last year or so its gotten bigger considrably darker it does bleed an is saw not itchy it really hurts wen clothes rub on it.
I am male 34 and have recently found a new mole on the upper left hand side of my chest close to my shoulder/armpit area. It has only just appeared within the last 2 months and started as a spot that would bleed, it is an irregular shaped 5mm long x 3mm wide at top and 2mm wide at bottom, it is slightly raised from the skin a light brown reddish colour (my other moles are all dark brown) and has a hair growing from it. It only hurts if i catch it on something, shirt etc. Should i visit my GP
I have a mole on the lower half of my leg, it is a kind of black colour, i am 16 and it has been like that for as long as i can remember, i am scared it could be cancerous, what should i do ?
i've got a lot of brown spots on my body but i've recently noticed one on the palm of my hand – is this normal? i've noticed everyone else don't get brown spots on their hands and it's made me feel worried…
i have had my mole since i was little, i have never paid any attention to it as it has always been there, but i noticeted that it is a lot darker than what it used to be as i was younger, sometimes it flakes a bit and it can bleed, should i go to the dotors, i want to know because i rather dislike them.
hi, im 14 years old and i have a oblong ball shape under my skin on my rib cage and it is quite hard and moves around the rib area what could it be and what can i do to get rid of it? help !!
I have a mole on my back.
It's been there as long as I remember.
It's a dark brown colour and has a bit in the middle that comes out. It looks like a small nipple actually.
Is this anything to worry about because I'm scared it might have changed shape.
I'm also concerned because I have fair skin and hair and I live in Spain where it is very hot almost all year round.
Please help.
I am sixteen, by the way.
i have quite a large mole on my right breast but during my pregnancy it got bigger and now ive had my baby its stayed the same size , but on the left side of it has gone abit bubblely (thats the only way i could describe it), it dosnt hurt or irritate im just concerned as its a large mole and the fact its on my breast.
I have several raising small moles under my eyes, a mole growing on my neck (which just appeared within the last week or 2). Unfortunately, I have a large mole (about the size of a large Nerds candy) that I've had my whole life. It started off small, but now it has grown to the size that it is at now. Recently it has been itching (every once in a while), so instead of scratching it, I puched on it. When I pushed on it, I heard a pop noise and my finger was wet (like puss had come out). In short: it's grown, it itches, and puss has come out of it.
PS. I'm 6 months pregnant