Summer may be over but now is the perfect time to check your moles

With autumn setting in and summer becoming more of a distant memory, now is a great time to check your moles and look out for any changes.

After experiencing lots of sunshine throughout the summer months, your skin will have been exposed to plenty of potentially damaging UV rays.

Take a few minutes out of your busy schedule this autumn to check your skin from head-to-toe. Look out for changes in shape, size, colour, feeling or texture and speak to a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

At Northern Clinics our mole scanning service runs all year round, making it easier for you to get your skin checked and have peace of mind. With our partner, ScreenCancer UK, we can take magnified images of your mole or lesion in the pharmacy and send these to their dermatology assessment team for review.

All moles or lesions are privately assessed and you will receive a personalised report within two weeks. If there are any concerns, the ScreenCancer team will call you to discuss their recommendations and advise you on appropriate next steps.

In this blog we will explore how to self-check your skin, what to watch out for and why these regular skin checks are so important.

Prioritise a self-skin check once a month

In Northern Ireland, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer. Around 4000 people develop skin cancer each year here, including melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers.

Early identification is important. When detected at an early-stage, almost 100% of people diagnosed with Stage 1 melanoma survive for five years or more. Survival rates are lower when melanoma is diagnosed at later stages. Keeping on top of any changes to your skin allows you to act early.  

Ideally everyone should be self-checking their skin at least once a month, all year round. With the summer holidays over and hopefully more predictable calendars, autumn is a great time to prioritise your health and take action if you notice any changes. Most importantly, get to know your skin and what is normal for you.

Check your skin from head-to-toe

Skin cancer can affect anywhere on the body, including areas that have little to no exposure to sun. So don’t forget to check:

·       Your nails

·       Your scalp

·       Your ears

·       The soles of your feet and palms of your hands

·       In between your toes

·       Hard to see areas like your back

Watch out for any new growths, unusual sores or marks that don’t heal or disappear within three to four weeks. Any moles or lesions that are bleeding, crusting, oozing, itchy, painful or changing in anyway should be checked out.

Use a mirror or a trusted person to help you check those hard to see areas. Also, don’t forget to take photos and measure the mole or lesion so you can easily keep track of any changes.

The ABCDE guide to checking your moles

This guide is helpful for spotting early warning signs of melanoma in a new mole, lesion or patch. 

A - Asymmetry –  Look at the shape. Melanomas often have a more uneven shape. Normal moles usually have a more even shape with two similar halves.

B - Border – Look for irregular, unclear or ragged borders which are often seen with melanomas. Normal moles generally have smooth and well-defined edges.

C - Colour –  Look for any uneven colouring with different shades of brown, black, red, blue or white. Healthy moles are normally one even colour.

D - Diameter –  Melanomas are often bigger than the size of a pencil rubber head (more than 6mm) but they can be much smaller especially in earlier stages.

E - Evolution – Evolution means change. Look for changes in the mole/lesion over time including size, shape, colour and texture. Also watch out for bleeding, crusting and itching or a new mole/lesion appearing.

Regular self-checking only takes a few minutes, but it can help you become familiar with your skin and recognise changes that may otherwise go unnoticed.

SKCIN, a UK charity focused on skin cancer prevention and early detection, have a useful app to support you with monthly skin checks. This includes a free step-by-step guide, as well as monthly reminders.

Concerned about a mole? Don’t ignore it!

If you notice any changes or have concerns, it is important to speak with a healthcare professional, such as your GP.

Our mole scanning service at Northern Clinics also offers a convenient and easily accessible option for expert advice and peace of mind.

If in doubt, remember to get it checked out. Don’t put it off until next summer!

Take action and book your appointment today with Northern clinics.

This blog was written by Dr Deborah Patton, MPSNI, MPharm, PhD, Community Pharmacist at Northern Pharmacies, and content checked by Emma McGuckin, MPSNI, MPharm, Community Pharmacist and Independent Prescriber at Northern Pharmacies.

Reference sources:

·       NHS. Symptoms of melanoma skin cancer. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms-of-melanoma-skin-cancer/

·       Public Health Agency. Early detection saves lives: Be UV aware, protect your skin and check for changes. Available from: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/early-detection-saves-lives-be-uv-aware-protect-your-skin-and-check-changes

·       Cancer Research UK. Survival for melanoma skin cancer. Available from: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/survival