If you’re already monitoring moles on your body as part of a cancer self-screening practice, then you’re ahead of the game. Unusual or irregular moles can sometimes be an indication of cancerous skin changes.
Skin cancer isn’t, however, predictable. There’s no comprehensive guide that can help you identify every skin cancer lesion.
Dermatologist Dr. Clement Banda of MD Vein & Skin Specialists in Columbia, Maryland, warns that caution is necessary, particularly if you have a skin type or other risk factors that increase your chances of developing cancer. Not every skin cancer lesion develops with a standard appearance.
There’s a handy mnemonic to help you remember what to look for when self-screening for skin cancer:
The ABCDE method can help you catch a wide range of skin cancers, but it doesn’t include every possible appearance that a lesion can have. Some forms of skin cancer may appear normal or have a coloration similar to that of healthy skin.
One shortcoming of the ABCDE method is that it applies to melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are more common, and these may not have a typical mole-like appearance.
When a mole doesn’t look like others on your body, it’s not necessarily a sign of cancer, but having a large number of atypical moles could be a sign of increased skin cancer risk. Atypical mole syndrome has three characteristics:
If your family has a history of skin cancers and you have atypical mole syndrome, you have a significantly higher risk of developing cancer, specifically melanoma.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and it most often appears as a shiny bump on the skin that can range in color, many of which are distinctly not mole-like in appearance.
Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a patch of crusty skin or as an open sore that bleeds or leaks fluid.
Amelanotic melanomas develop without melanin, the pigment that gives moles their color. These may appear flesh-toned, white, red, or pink in color.
Subungual melanomas form under fingernails or toenails, typically beginning with a dark streak that gradually expands over time. You might mistake this for bleeding under the nail. These lesions don’t look like moles.
You can go beyond the ABCDE method by evaluating skin without moles. Use a simple three-point metric to evaluate skin changes:
It’s always better to be on the cautious side with any cancer risk, and skin cancer is no different — your chances of successful treatment climb when you identify lesions early.
Contact MD Vein & Skin Specialists to learn more about our mole mapping and other cancer screening services. Call our office or request an appointment online today.
