Early detection is the key to the diagnosis of skin cancer in its early stages, namely melanoma , which is associated with a better prognosis. Self-observe your skin moles The first thing you should do is a periodic self-observation of your skin moles, regardless of their number. Do it once a month. This observation can be easily done at home, with or without the help of another person. To facilitate it you can use mirrors and photographs. Note the following characteristics: Moles that change in size, color and / or shape, look different from others, are asymmetrical; Moles that are rough or scaly, have various colors, are larger than 6 millimeters, cause itching; Moles that bleed or pour liquid, look like pearls, look like a wound but do not heal. An easy-to-remember rule is the ABCDE rule , which assigns a letter to each of the characteristics to be analyzed in the signals: A for asymmetry: irregular shape, which is not symmetrical in the different axes; B for border: poorly defined mole limits; C for color: presence of several colors, especially black, blue or red; D for diameter: greater than 6 mm; E for evolving: recent growth or change in mole characteristics. If in your self-assessment you notice something of the above, you should book a d ermatology consultation . The presence of many skin moles is a reason for a regular medical observation It has been confirmed in several scientific studies that a high number of moles is related with an increased risk of developing melanoma. An easy way to find out if you have a lot of moles is to count it in one of your arms. If you have twenty or more moles on one arm, consider that you have many moles. Therefore, you should be observed by a dermatologist. Many moles that change or have suspicious characteristics If in addition to many moles you notice changes or some of the characteristics mentioned above, you should have a visit to the dermatologist, who will perform your clinical and dermoscopic evaluation. If the dermatologist does not indicate another frequency, you should have your follow-up consultation once a year. Facts about skin cancer In the last few decades the number of cases of melanoma diagnosed worldwide has been steadily increasing. Several factors have contributed to this, such as: Lifestyle changes, with greater sun exposure, especially in childhood and adolescence; Greater social awareness of this health problem, more screening and more diagnosed cases. Approximately 12 thousand cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in Portugal each year. Malignant melanoma Malignant melanoma, although is not the most common skin tumor, is the most aggressive type. It is responsible for most deaths from skin cancer, especially in young people. This tumor affects about 1000 Portuguese each year. Author : João Felgueiras Magalhães Meet the dermatology team from Hospital da Luz network . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
