Moles are often harmless, but they can be irritating and catch on clothing and jewellery alike. Occasionally, they can be a sign of cancer. Your moles should be checked by an expert every six months – at a minimum. If you’ve had a mole removed, it’s every three months.
Below is a helpful checklist you can go through at home, but it’s always recommended to book in with a doctor if you have any changes to your moles or freckles or if you
suspect any of them may be cancerous.
ABCDE Mole Checklist
+ Asymmetrical: Melanomas that are an irregular shape and have two different halves.
+ Border: Melanomas with a ragged boarder.
+ Colours: Melanomas that have a mix of two or more colours.
+ Diameter: Melanomas that are larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) diameter.
+ Evolution: A mole which has changed in size or shape over time.
The good news is that skin cancers from moles that are found and removed early are almost always curable and early diagnosis matters. A person with a melanoma of less than 0.75mm thick can expect to have a 95% cure rate. 52% of the melanoma we find are discovered by monitoring and identifying the tiniest of changes each time you come in with our mole-mapping service. Changes can be monitored both externally and internally for signs that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Book in with one of our doctors at the Botany Skin Clinic if you’re worried about any of the moles or freckles you have, and you can rest assured that we will be able to give you a comprehensive diagnosis.
Consultation
Consultation with the Doctor is $150 and must be booked in advance. We are located in the heart of Botany Town Center Next to TSB bank.