Keep a watchful eye on any atypical moles.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world. As this type of cancer often manifests itself in the form of moles, people need to keep an eye on their skin marks. By familiarizing yourself with the warning signs of cancerous moles, you will know exactly when to seek medical attention.
Shape
When looking for atypical moles, keep shape in mind. A normal mole should be round with clearly defined borders and no larger than a pencil eraser. Moles that are atypically large, not circular in shape or have ill-defined, uneven borders should be inspected by a doctor. Moles that meet these criteria are not necessarily cancerous, but when faced with the prospect of skin cancer, you should play it safe.
Color
Another thing to watch out for is color. Red, black, gray and green are common colors in cancerous moles. Furthermore, cancerous moles often contain more than one color. Moles whose color, shape or size change over time should always be reported to a doctor. For this reason, carefully monitor your existing moles in addition to keeping an eye out for new ones. Normal moles evolving into cancerous moles are uncommon but not unheard of -- particularly for people who spend a good deal of time in the sun.
Elevation
The elevation, or "evolution," of a mole is one of the foremost signs of malignant melanoma. This refers to a prompt or gradual change in a mole's size or shape, such as from flatness to an elevated appearance. When dealing with this type of skin cancer, an early diagnosis is crucial to a patient's survival. To this end, many medical professionals recommend that you give yourself at least one thorough mole check a month and carefully note any new moles or changes in existing moles.
Irritation
Irritability is another key factor in identifying cancerous moles. Moles that are easily irritated, excessively itchy or prone to bleeding should promptly be brought to the attention of health-care providers. Furthermore, look for moles on any areas of your body that are prone to bleeding, itchiness or irritability. If present, the mole may serve as the source of the problem and should be examined by a doctor.
Tags: cancerous moles, Moles that, atypical moles, existing moles, prone bleeding