A mole (also known as a nevus) is a brown or black-colored growth that can appear on your skin. They are caused when melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) cluster together to form a visibly darkened spot on your skin. While many moles are present at birth, they may also develop later on in a person’s life and some moles may darken as a result of puberty, pregnancy or increased sun exposure.
Most moles are considered benign (non-cancerous), but some may eventually develop into a type of skin cancer called melanoma. We recommend using the ABCDE system to determine if your mole may be cause for concern.
If your mole has one of more of the following, consider getting it checked by a medical provider:
A – Asymmetry: one half of the mole looks different than the other half
B – Borders: the mole has irregular or jagged borders
C – Color: the mole does not have a uniform color throughout
D – Diameter: a diameter greater than 6 millimeters (approximately the size of a pencil eraser)
E – Evolving: changes in shape, color, or size
It is recommended that adults perform self-skin checks every 3 months and make an appointment for a full skin check every year. If you are interested in a yearly skin check or have a mole that you would like to get examined, call our office at 508-936-1657 to book an appointment.