Share:

Moles are normal. Depending on factors such as genetics, sun exposure, and pregnancy, you might have anywhere from 10 to 40 moles on your body. These small, brownish spots are often harmless, and Access Health Clinic in Spring, TX, encourages patients to examine skin regularly to check for new growths and monitor the appearance of existing ones.

This family clinic shares that moles can sometimes be a sign of melanoma, and they often remove suspicious growths for further examination. To help patients recognize which moles might be atypical, they suggest remembering the ABCDE’s of melanoma:

  • A for Asymmetry: A mole should be symmetrical, as if you would be able to fold it neatly in half with all of the edges lining up. Let your doctor know if one half of the mole doesn’t resemble the other.
  • B for Border: The border should be clean. Keep an eye out for borders that are scalloped or otherwise poorly defined.
  • C for Color: In general, your mole should be uniformly brown. Be wary of multicolored growths that have shades of black, brown, white, red, or blue.
  • family clinicD for Diameter: The average mole is no larger than a pencil eraser. Talk to your family clinic if you have any that are larger than this.
  • E for Evolving: Have you had a mole on your body for years that is now changing in size, shape or color? This could be a warning sign of melanoma, and it should be examined by your physician. Keep a record of changes in size before your appointment, since this can happen quickly. Most moles appear by the age of 20, so new growths should be examined to rule out underlying risks.

If you have an atypical mole that requires further examination, make an appointment with Access Health Clinic right away. This primary care clinic provides healthcare services on an as-needed and preventative basis. You can rely on this full-service family clinic to handle everything from routine health check-ups and sports physicals to cough treatment and mole evaluation. Learn more about the services this urgent care clinic offers online, or call (281) 251-8700.

tracking