Question:
I have a nevus on my scalp, which I discovered when I was 12. Recently, it has been feeling quite sore. Should I be worried? Is it likely to be cancerous? Also, I have another one that's been present since birth – could it be dangerous?
Answer:
Most people have a number of brownish spots on their skin, often referred to as moles, freckles, or birthmarks. A mole (also known as a nevus) can be something we are born with (congenital) or something that develops during our lifetime (acquired). Congenital ones are not likely to disappear on their own and seem to grow in size as the body grows. Acquired ones are found on the skin over time and may be the result of sun exposure. Almost all of these are normal, but there are rare ones that may be (or become) skin cancer. The major skin cancer that everyone worries about is melanoma, which if not detected early on can be deadly.
Most moles never become a problem, but should be checked regularly for any changes that could suggest skin cancer, particularly melanoma. You can check your moles by using the ABCDE system.
A: Asymmetry (one side looks or is shaped differently than the other)
B: Border irregularity (edges may look wavy or uneven)
C: Color variability (different shades of color within the same mole)
D: Diameter (how long the mole is from one side to the other)
E: Enlargement (getting bigger each time you check it)
Common moles should be even throughout, have matching halves, smooth borders, be a single shade of brown, and no larger than a pencil eraser. An early melanoma may look just the opposite – different halves, uneven edges, different colors throughout, and large – or it may suddenly increase in size, change color, bleed, crust or ulcerate, itch or hurt, or the skin around it may swell up.
You should regularly check your moles or have a family member check them if they are somewhere on our body that you cannot see well (for example, your back). You should run through the ABCDE list above to make sure that your mole is not changing and does not exhibit any of the signs that would be concerning for skin cancer.
