The Connection Between Moles and Skin Cancer: What You Need To Know

Idaho Dermatology Mohs Collective with Dr. Heather Layhe can provide many skin care solutions to keep you healthy and happy. For example, we can do a mole check in Boise, ID, to ensure you don’t have skin cancer.

But do you really need to worry about this issue? Absolutely, because some moles are more likely to turn cancerous than others.

Moles and Skin Cancer: What’s the Deal?

Here’s the thing about moles: they’re already mutated cells on your skin. They’re not dangerous or deadly, of course, unless they turn cancerous. The problem is that exposure to UV rays and other elements could turn them cancerous and cause lots of scary health problems. That’s a huge deal, particularly for someone who has a family history of skin cancer or other types.

Thankfully, dermatologists can do a mole check for Boise residents and the Treasure valley to ensure they get the help they need. It’s essential to do self-checks regularly before visiting us and to come to our office when you’re worried about a severe mole problem. If unsure what counts, the next section will include the needed help.

The ABCDE Rule: Your Guide to Catching Mole-Related Skin Cancer 

The ABCDE rule is a helpful guideline for people to help spot potential skin cancer risks. Thankfully, the letters for these steps are easy to understand and are things you can check out yourself. Make sure that you follow these steps if you’re worried about skin cancer:

• A: Asymmetry or when the two halves of a mole do not match.
• B: Border irregularity or when the edges of the moles are blurry or uneven.
• C: Color or when the mole has different colors beyond brown (especially if they change).
• D: Diameter or when the mole gets larger than six millimeters (the size of a pencil eraser).
• E: Evolution or if the mole keeps changing in size, shape, texture, or color.

When you notice any mole changes, contacting us immediately is critical to get support. We’ll do whatever we can to ensure you get the needed help. You don’t want to wait too long when cancer is involved.

Call Us Today: We’re Here

Regular checkups are always smart, particularly if you’re getting older and have spent much time in the sun. Idaho Dermatology Mohs Collective with Dr. Layhe can help you avoid skin cancer by providing a mole check in Boise, ID. 

Call us at (208) 600-1330 to learn more about how we can help you get the high-quality support you need here.