The Beauty Society

ASuspicious changes in skin colour and texture: numerous colours such as brown, red, blue or black in one mole should be reported

BPersistent prickly, itchy or tender feeling related to pigmented areas

CRaised, dry and rough skin patches

DSmall regions of crusty dry skin

ESore ulcerated areas that bleed or scab easily

FNon healing ulcer present for more than 4 weeks

GMole-like appearance which is bigger than all other moles

What is skin cancer?

Cancer of the skin is more common in the human population than most people realise. The term cancer refers to the abnormal growth, behaviour and spread of body cells. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma are the three most common types of cancer which originate from different layers of the skin.

Some cancers are considered more dangerous than others because they can spread beyond their areas of origin or invade other parts of the body. Modern medicine is still researching the reasons why cancers occur but there are associated ‘triggers’ which are known to activate defective cells to become cancerous. Skin cancers are known to be triggered by over exposure to harmful sun rays, so the best way to prevent these cancers is to follow medical advice about sun protection.

The basal and squamous cell carcinomas are more common than malignant melanomas. These cancers have the ability to destroy nearby tissues and are capable of spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of the body. Whilst basal and squamous cell carcinomas originate from the surface layers of the skin, malignant melanoma is a tumour of the melanocytes; which are the cells that produce the brown pigment melanin found in skin, moles and freckles.

What does skin cancer look like?

Any of these skin cancers can present in different forms – flat, raised or dome shaped growths on the skin’s surface or even as persistent ulcers. They are occasionally surrounded by superficial blood vessels and can come in different textures and colours.

People who have moles on evenly pigmented skin might notice changes in shape, size or texture over a period of time and it is important to report these changes to your doctor.

What is a mole?

Have you ever wondered what the small, brown coloured marks on your body are? They may seem like extra large freckles, or even birth marks, but in all likelihood they are moles! Moles are also known as melanocytic naevi, and are a form of skin lesion. They tend to accumulate during the teenage years when most sun damage occurs, but they can also be present from birth

The difference between freckles and moles is to do with the number of melanocytes present. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which gives the brown colour typical of both freckles and moles. During sun exposure our body’s natural protection mechanism is to release melanin from the melanocytes into the skin (suntan reaction), as this blocks harmful UV radiation.

By releasing a localised concentration of melanin into the skin, a freckle is formed. Moles on the other hand can form from either the clustering of melanocytes, or the pigmented growth of a single melanocyte.

Moles can vary in appearance from one person to the next, but generally speaking they are flat, symmetrical in shape and uniform in their colour. However, it is possible for them to be raised rather than flat, and close to normal skin colour rather than dark. The depth of pigment can vary from one mole to another, as can the size and shape and this is nothing to worry about. They are most commonly found on the back, chest and arms

They have been found to increase in number until the 30’s and then decrease. On average Caucasian women between the ages of 20-30 years have 24 moles larger than 3mm and men have 16.

It is important to note that most moles change over time, and this may not necessarily mean cancer (a malignant melanoma). However, any changes should be discussed with a medical practitioner.

How to check for changes in your moles:

• Number of moles – more than 30 on your entire body
• Where they are – moles on the torso (back, chest and abdomen) are more likely to become malignant
• Size of the moles – anything greater than 8mm in diameter
• Colour of the moles – variations within individual moles, numerous colours such as brown, red, blue or black in one mole should be reported
• What the edges look like – asymmetric, irregular, jagged, funny patterns

What should I do next?

The most important step to take against skin cancer is prevention. This can include using a high SPF everyday, even during the winter months, to protect yourself against all types of skin cancer. It is also possible to have a regular skin analysis undertaken so as to identify any significant changes. It is better to have a check-up and be reassured than be unsure and worry.

At Pearl Studios we have the Visia skin analysis machine, which can examine your skin and reveal how much sun damage has been caused, along with other skin measurements. Our specialist nurses and dermatologists can also carry out a full examination of all of your moles to check for any abnormalities.