“So I have this mole…" How to identify skin cancer and how to prevent it

Summer is coming. While we love the warm, sunny days, it’s also time to think about summertime skin care -- specifically, moles.

If you notice a new mole or a change in an existing one, you might be wondering what you should look out for.

A mole is a spot on the skin; surprisingly, they're quite common. Though they vary in color, texture, size, and location, most people have between 10 and 40 moles. And you're typically born with or develop them until the age of 50.

As you age, the moles on your body can change, and you’ll want to protect your skin to avoid sun damage that could lead to skin conditions like melenoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma . The best protection is to avoid exposure to the sun — a hard thing to do on those beautiful summer days!

“A mole is a type of skin growth that can be raised or flat, but typically is darker than the color of your skin” Says Dr Michael Richardson. “Most moles are fine and many people get concerned about harmless mimics such as seborrheic keratosis that can look quite impressive with their stuck on appearance. What are more concerning are new moles, especially if they are changing shape”

There is some evidence that support this concern over new moles, as a study reviewed in the Harvard Men’s Health Watch found melanomas were more likely to appear as new spots than from existing moles.

The Mayo Clinic offers this helpful guide (that’s as easy as ABCDE) for your mole inspection. You’ll want to look for the following things:

• A is for asymmetrical shape. Look for moles where one half is unlike the other half.
• B is for border. Look for moles with irregular, notched or scalloped borders.
• C is for color. Look for growths that have changed color, have many colors or have uneven color.
• D is for diameter. Look for new growth in a mole larger than 1/4 inch (about 6 millimeters or the size of a pencil eraser).
• E is for evolving. Watch for moles that change in size, shape, color or height, especially if part or all of a mole turns black. Moles may also evolve to develop new signs and symptoms, such as itching or bleeding.

Cancerous moles vary greatly in appearance. Some may show all of the features listed above. Others may have only one or two. If your mole fits any of these characteristics or has changed and looks unusual, you should make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist.

You can reduce the risk of skin cancer, especially in the sunny summer months by being proactive in your skin care. The CDC suggests:

• Limiting your exposure to harmful UV rays by
  • Staying in the shade
  • Wearing clothing that covers arms and legs (better than any sunblock!)
  • Wearing a hat with a wide brim (great tip for runners)
  • Wearing wraparound sunglasses (to block UVA and UVB rays)
• Wearing sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater
• Avoiding indoor tanning

You can get treatment for basic skin issues directly from the One Medical App. (The app is available for iOS and Android.) Once you’ve opened the App, follow these steps:

1. Tap ‘Treat me now’
2. Tap ‘New case’
3. Tap ‘Skin issue’

Then, simply answer a few questions about your symptoms, take a few photos of your skin issue, and upload the pictures. Our Virtual Medical Team will respond within 24 hours. Alternatively, your primary care provider is happy to go over any lumps or bumps you find during an office visit.

For more tips on skin care, check out the One Medical blog a to learn more about sun protection and 10 tips for better skin.

Until next time, enjoy the summer sun. Don’t forget to use sunscreen!