2023-04-21 20:27:54
Most of the time, moles are harmless. However, sometimes some of them actually reveal a much more serious problem that puts our health at risk. This is why it is essential to take a closer look at them. How to monitor your moles correctly and especially when should you worry regarding them? We answer you.
Beauty mark: what is it really?
Before getting to the heart of the matter, do you really know what a mole is? Also called nevusit is actually a skin lesion, a benign skin tumor that can appear randomly on the face as well as on the body. The mole then forms as a small spot (on average with a diameter of less than 6mm) of brown color and generally oval or circular shape. It develops until the age of regarding 30 years.
Although most moles on the skin are harmless, it is more than important to monitor them regularly, because behind a spot that looks like two drops of water like a mole, can hiding a melanomawhich is dangerous to health.
Why monitor your moles closely?
melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and it often happens that a person is not even aware that he is affected by it. This is why dermatologists are careful to remind you that it is essential to check regularly her moles and to perform a melanoma screening.
Melanoma, a cancerous tumor
It develops from melanocyte cells. At the beginning of its development, it is similar in appearance to an ordinary mole. However, it is not so. Melanoma is actually a malignant tumorwhich unlike the mole is fatal.
80% of the time, melanoma develops on skin considered “healthy”. But it also happens in 20% of cases that it forms from an old nevus that has experienced what is called “degeneration”. In short, cancer cells appeared thus transforming the mole into a melanoma. According to the League Against Cancer, 7,000 new cases of melanoma are diagnosed in France every year.
Factors favoring the development and appearance of melanoma
It exists different factors that favor the appearance of melanoma:
- Exposure to UV rays is the most important factor.
- Another form of exposure, artificial ultraviolet light which are emitted for example during UV sessions in the cabin.
- People with a light skin and light hair are also more prone to developing cases of melanoma.
- THE family history skin cancers are also internal risk factors.
- Of the Sun burn.
- People who expose themselves regularly, whether in their personal or professional activity (gardener for example).
- The presence of many moles on the body (greater than 50).
How to monitor your moles and prevent the appearance of melanoma?
In order to better prevent the potential risks of melanoma, it is essential that you self-examine regularly. By this, we mean checking often for the appearance of new, different spots or the abnormal development of a mole.
To do this, you can, for example, take a photo every three months taking care to photograph your entire face and body, even the hard to reach areas (back, behind the thighs, buttocks…). Also don’t forget the areas where moles can hide and melanomas (between the fingers, behind the ear, soles of the feet, etc.). As a result, you will quickly see the differences.
To make it easier for you, there is also a free app developed by the very first cancer center in Europe: iSkin. This application will help you in the self-examination of your moles.
Finally, in order to monitor the appearance of melanoma, you must follow the ABCDE rule. Each letter prompts you to analyze whether this small brown spot can actually turn out to be melanoma:
A : an asymmetry
B : poorly defined irregular edges
C : an inhomogeneous color with several colors
D : an increased diameter
E : a change in shape, color or thickness.
How to limit the risks of its development?
You can limit the risks and dangers of developing melanoma by following these tips.
- Consult a dermatologist regularly. This is logical advice, but one that is not always thought of. It is more than useful to carry out a control visit every year. Depending on the case, this visit may take place more frequently.
- Get screened for melanoma. Every year, during the month of May, the National Cancer Prevention and Screening Day takes place. This examination can then be carried out free of charge. For more information, talk to your doctor.
- Protect yourself from the sun. We told you earlier, the sun is the first responsible the development of melanoma. Thus, you will have understood it, you must protect yourself as much as possible by applying the Solar cream on all areas of the face and body.
Do not forget that children have much more fragile skin and that therefore exposure to the sun can lead to significant risks of developing melanoma. There too it is essential to take all the necessary precautions (hat, t-shirt, sunscreen…).
Now you know how to monitor your moles and when to be concerned. Carry out the self-examination every three months and in the slightest doubt, speak to your doctor quickly.
1682136215
#monitor #moles #worry