Your Mole May Be Telling You Something

Despite repeated warnings, many people still go out in the sun without protection leaving themselves at risk for skin cancer. Those with moles are among the most susceptible.

Dr. Alan Kling, a board certified dermatologist in New York, has tips on spotting problem mole and the most common types of skin cancer.

Many moles are harmless but over exposure to the sun can turn them cancerous. A simple way to examine a mole and decide if it's unusual enough to warrant medical attention is to follow the American Academy of Dermatology's signs of melanoma.

"The main reason we are seeing an increase in skin cancer cases is affluence," says Dr. Kling. "Through the years, people have become more affluent with more leisure time and many people spend that time in the sun without wearing sunscreen or protective clothing."

Dr. Kling says a mole needs a doctor's opinion if:

• It's asymmetrical. If you draw an imaginary line through its center, and the one half does not match the other half.
• Its borders are fuzzy and fade into the skin. Normal moles have sharp, distinct borders.
• The color is variegated. Instead of a solid hue, shades of tan, brown, black or even purple streak the blemish.
• Its diameter is larger than 6 millimeters.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It begins in the pigment cells that produce skin color. Most melanomas can be treated successfully if they are detected at an early stage. If melanoma is not detected at an early stage, it can spread to other parts of the body and is potentially a lethal form of cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma begins in the lowest layer of the epidermis, called the basal cell layer. About 75 percent of all skin cancers are basal cell carcinomas. They usually develop on sun-exposed areas, especially the head and neck. Basal cell carcinoma was once found almost exclusively in middle-aged or older people. Now it is also being seen in younger people, probably because they are spending more time in the sun with inadequate sun protection.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops in higher levels of the epidermis and account for about 20 percent of all skin cancers. They commonly appear on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ear, neck, lip, and back of the hands. They can also develop within scars or skin ulcers elsewhere. Less often, they form in the skin of the genital area.

Dr. Kling says people can help themselves in other ways besides from wearing sunscreen and protective clothing.

Chemical peels and microdermabrasion are skin treatments that exfoliate the skin. The top layer of sun damaged skin is removed, which may include precancerous cells as well as the sun damaged cells which give the skin a rough, blemished discolored appearance. Most people want to get chemical peels or microdermabration for cosmetic reasons, to smooth out their skin and to get better skin tone.

Doctors found that chemical peels and microdermabrasion may actually decrease the chance of developing certain types of skin cancers.