I have quite a few moles, none to big or different looking, but i found a new one on my head right next to the part in my hair. It's about the size of a pencil eraser and dark. Could it be dangerous? Im always outside during the summer and haven't used sun screen as often as i should have (and now regret!) and iI think i saw this mole after I had a sunburn. My Granny, dad, and great uncle have all had to have some skin cancer removed. I want to have a head to toe exam by a dermotoligist but I lost my insurance after I had my baby and iI cant afford to pay for it. When are moles dangerous? Thanks for any advice, it's very appreciated because I don't kno much about moles and skin cancer stuff.
My Dr. said not to worry about moles unless they have grown bigger than a pencil eraser, have multiple colors and irregular edges. If your mole has those symptoms, bite the bullet and get it checked out. I've had a couple of friends fight skin cancer and it's nothing to trifle with...
The ABCD Rule for dangerous moles:
A: Assymetry... one half does not match the other
B: Borders... edges are irregular, ragged, notched, or blurred.
C: Color... color is not the same all over, and may have shades of brown or black, sometimes with patches of red, pink, white, or blue.
D: Diameter... The area is larger than 6 millimeters (about ¼ inch -- the size of a pencil eraser) across, or the area has been growing.
You could try your health department - lots of places do free skin checks.
There's really no way to tell if a mole is dangerous or not. The location of your mole is bad if it's melanoma, so you need to get it checked out at once! I had a mole on my scalp a few years back. The doctor thought it wasn't cancer, but it turned out to be a basel cell carcinoma. This is a fairly harmless form of cancer luckily! They had already removed the mole to test it, so I didn't need any further treatment. I, unfortunately, have another one, so I'm going to the doctor this Tuesday to have it removed and tested.
The general rule for moles is Asymetrical (you can't draw a line and have two matching halves), Bigger than a pencil eraser, Color changes in the mole and Dark moles. When in doubt check it out. I've had 4 moles removed that were pre-cancerous one that was the stage before Melanoma. If you're fair-skinned and burn easily you're higher risk. The doctors said to watch a mole that my 10 year old has that's on her head like yours. Go to the doctor. It's better to waste money on a doctor's appointment than risk your life. Most fatal Melanomas are moles that people were "going to have the doctor look at" but never did.
Good luck.
I agree, see if you can find a free screening center in your area by googling it or by calling the local clinics and hospitals.
I too am always worried about skin cancer as I am so fair and my dad has a history. You should get checked yearly because of your family history. I believe that any new mole that you find after the age of 20 should be checked out as they have a higher rate of issues compared to the ones you have had since childhood. However, do not totally freak as I always think I have skin cancer and always check out ok and if this is the case then great but if not then they have great options to remove it.
Good luck!
Also, was the history of skin cancer in your family melanoma...because that will make a difference.
The May 2010 issue of Glamour (of all places) has an excellent article on summer skin - what's normal, what's not (pg 139-146) including detailed description and numerous pictures of normal and potentially dangerous/ cancerous skin lumps and bumps (not all are moles). Large dark moles (especialy those with uneven, including black coloring) should be looked at ASAP. Pg 146 says "what is not normal: a zit or mole-like lump (on the scalp) that doesn't go away and may be itchy. Melanoma can and does occur in the scalp, but the location is often overlooked by women and doctors during skin checks. Alarmingly, cancers on the scalp tend to be more deadly than those on other parts of the body, usually because they're found late. 'Most crusty little spots on the scalp are OK, but if they're itchy, growing, bleeding or changing, get to a dermatologist."
Any new or changing mole should be checked out by a dermatologist. I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma two years ago at the age of 34. Mine was a small, symmetrical freckle that had slowly changed. I had asked my OB about it as well as my PCP and both said it was nothing. But I had a feeling it should be checked. Luckily it was caught early but I have a huge scar/chunk out of my arm to show for it. Melanoma almost always IS NOT the size of a pencil eraser. If it's in the early stages it is usually smaller - even as small as pencil lead dot. Just watch for new marks and change. Get that mole checked out asap.
Here is a link to find a free skin cancer screening near you:
http://www.aad.org/SkinCancerScreening/LocationSearch.asp...
Many hospitals have FREE skin cancer screenings....please see if you can find O. in your area!
My husband and his mom also have a lot of moles too, both regular and the tag kind. They're mostly on their backs and arms. He saw a dermatologist last year for them and was just told to watch them for new ones and also if the ones he already has changes in color. It's hard to look on his back though cuz he has so many. With your family history of it and lack of sunscreen on your part, I''d get in ASAP for a consultation at least.
Before you start freaking out, are you a naturally freckley/moley person skin wise. If you are its more likely you have Sebborhic Keratosis. Basically Your a moley person, I actually had the same spot appear on my scalp during my 2nd child. I thought my pregnancy did it. However checking a scaly ichy spot on my back to was called "skin cancer" by webmd and other means of research. My dermatologist assured me its only SK. There is nothing you can do about it, no treatment. My family also has a skin cancer history but that doesnt mean you have it anytime a mole appears. Moles can be scaly.hurt,bleed,itchy without being cancerous. You can look for free skin screening from clinics. Wear your sunscreen cause it is hereditary. Good Luck
