Normal moles
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Pictures of cancerous moles...
Malignant mole
Should I worry about a mole?
People, especially those with numerous moles, should check them regularly for changes in size, color or shape. In the majority of cases, mole changes are nothing to worry about, they are usually due to benign increases in pigment cells in the skin.
Benign means non-cancerous.
When visiting a doctor about a mole, they will ask the parient to describe when they detected the changes, and if there is a family history of moles and any complications.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence), UK, has a seven-point checklist to use when assessing a mole:
- Does the mole cause pain, itching, or a change in sensation?
- Does the mole have an irregular color?
- Does the mole have an irregular shape?
- Has the mole changed in size?
- Is the mole 0.28 inches (7 millimeters) across or more?
- Is the mole oozing?
- Is the mole red and swollen (inflamed)?
If the changes to the mole are mild, the doctor may take a clinical photograph of it and measure its dimensions.
The patient will be asked to come back after a few weeks to see whether any
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