Dr Detective: Is your mole dangerous?

Could you spot the difference between a healthy mole and a dangerous one? As many of us prepare to strip off and bare our bodies to the summer sun, what better time to check those moles.

Dr Chris joins us now to share his easy guide to spotting the warning signs when a mole could be dangerous, when to be concerned about a mole and what you can do to protect your skin from the summer sun.

WHAT ARE MOLES?

Moles are small coloured spots on the skin made up of cells called melanocytes, which produce the colour in your skin. Most people have them and they're usually nothing to worry about unless they change size, shape or colour.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FRECKLE AND A MOLE?

Freckles are small usually pale brown areas of skin, which are often temporary and are usually caused by exposure to the sun. Moles are areas of darker pigmented (brown or brown/black) on the skin, they are long-lasting and are only indirectly associated with exposure to the sun.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOLES?

There are many different types of moles, the most common are:

- Junctional melanocytic naevi: These are usually brown, round and flat.

- Dermal melanocytic naevi: These are usually raised, pale and sometimes hairy.

- Compound melanocytic naevi: These are usually raised above the skin, light brown.

SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED ABOUT MOLES BECOMING CANCEROUS?

While most moles are non-cancerous, in rare cases they can develop into melanoma. Melanoma is a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body and is the 7th most common cause of cancer death in people aged 20 to 34 years in the UK. Melanomas usually appear as a dark, fast-growing spot where there was not one before, or a pre-existing mole that changes size, shape or colour and bleeds, itches or reddens.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole. This can occur anywhere on the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the back in men and the legs in women. Melanomas are uncommon in areas which are protected from sun exposure, such as the buttocks and the scalp. A mole that has been there your entire life is less likely to change. In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and are more than one colour. The mole may also be larger than normal and can sometimes be itchy or bleed. Look out for a mole which changes progressively in shape, size and/or colour.

DR CHRIS SAYS: "Moles can produce malignant melanoma. Moles are normally round or oval, if it becomes irregular or has ridges or if it has different colours in it, like darker browns or even blue you should see your GP immediately."

WHAT CHANGES SHOULD WE LOOK FOR?

You should check your skin every few months for any new moles that develop or change. A helpful way to remember what to look for is to use the ABCDE method:

- A Asymmetry: If it is not symmetrical then that's a big worry.

- B Border irregularity: If there are changes around the border.

- C Colour change: If it is not one colour and is sore.

- D Diameter: If it's more than 6mm.

- E Elevated: If the mole becomes raised or enlarged.

DR CHRIS SAYS: "If you tick two of these, go to your GP!"

DR CHRIS' TOP TIPS FOR CHECKING YOUR SKIN

DR CHRIS SAYS: "Pay particular attention to any mole larger than a blunt end of a pencil. The general rule is, if you have got more than ten moles on your upper arm it means you probably have over 100 on your body and you could be at more risk of melanoma. Ask someone to check the parts of your body you can't see, like your back!"

CAN YOU PREVENT CANCEROUS MOLES?

If you have a lot of moles, it's important to take extra care in the sun. More than 2,000 people die every year in the UK from melanoma. (SOURCE: NHS WEBSITE) The people who are most at risk are those who have a family history of melanoma, if you have light skin, hair or eyes or if you are spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun on a regular basis. Although it's not always possible to prevent melanoma, avoiding overexposure to UV light can reduce your chances of developing it.

DR CHRIS SAYS: "Well the obvious thing is never burn - especially as children and teenagers so of course that means you need high factor protection cream. Avoid the sun between 10am-2pm as well. You need protection from both UVA and UVB so make sure you check that. The star rating on the back of the tube is where you can check that, ideally 5 stars is what you want."

TREATMENT

If melanoma is diagnosed and treated at an early stage then surgery is usually successful, although you may need follow-up care to prevent melanoma recurring. Around 13,500 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year. More than a quarter of skin cancer cases are diagnosed in people under 50, which is unusually early compared to most other types of cancer. Over recent years, skin cancer has become much more common in the UK. This is thought to be the result of increased exposure to intense sunlight while on holiday abroad.

DR CHRIS SAYS: "It can affect people of any age, it's down to exposure to UV radiation from sunlight or sunbeds, nowadays younger people are going on holiday more often."