CARE
Posted April 25, 2025
Moles are normal collections of melanocytes (the pigment cells of our skin). They are not cancer. However, if the melanocytes become damaged, they can turn into melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The good news is when melanoma skin cancer is caught early, it is treatable. The best way to make sure your skin is healthy is to perform self-exams and get to know your moles through ABCDE, an acronym for signs of melanoma.
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A recent review of published research on melanoma skin cancer has confirmed what many skin doctors and cancer specialists already knew: Most melanomas (an estimated 70%) start as a brand-new lesion, not in an existing mole, which is why it is especially important to pay attention to new moles.
That means you really need to know your skin. All adults should get in the habit of doing a monthly skin check, so they know where their moles are and what looks normal. That makes it much easier to notice a new or changing mole.
Most providers recommend a regular self-exam looking for new moles, but there are no guidelines from any accredited medical organizations detailing a specific cadence or period. With that in mind, consider doing self-exams monthly. Here’s how to do them:
Most of the time, moles are merely harmless clusters of pigmented cells. Normal moles are round or oval, with a smooth edge, and usually within one-quarter inch (six millimeters) in diameter. If the mole is the same color and solid throughout, it should not be anything to worry about. Melanomas can vary a lot in how they look and detecting them at an early stage can be critical and greatly increase your chances for cure. Generally, it is a good idea to follow the ABCDE signs to identify melanoma. However, you may find only one or two of these signs, and some moles may not fit the ABCDE rules.
Melanoma does not discriminate; anyone can get it. But there are factors that could put you at a higher risk for developing this form of skin cancer. They include:
Reduce your risk of melanoma and other skin cancers by protecting your skin from the sun:
If you see any of the ABCDE signs, notice a new pigmented lesion (even if it doesn't have the characteristics described above) or a mole that's changed, you should talk with your doctor. Don't wait until your next annual physical to bring it up—make an appointment soon. The only way to be sure is to remove tissue and check it for cancer cells. If you do have a melanoma, a doctor can remove it before it has a chance to spread.
Learn more about melanoma on our cancer resource hub
Read nowCancer treatment options from Allina Health
Melanoma careAllina Health Cancer Institute
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