Why It's Always Best To Get Suspicious Moles Checked

Posted on: 1 October 2021

Many people have moles that worry them, whether or not they turn out to be anything dangerous. If you have a mole that you haven't noticed before, one that is looking a bit odd, or one that is a bit painful, you should see a dermatologist right away. Even if it turns out to be nothing, it's better than not having it checked out. Here's why it's so important to consult medical dermatology.

Telltale Signs Aren't Universal

Many people are aware of the fact that dangerous, potentially cancerous moles tend to be asymmetrical and have strange discolorations. While this is often the case, it's not necessarily true of every single cancerous or pre-cancerous mole. The only way to know for sure is to test a tissue sample; even trained dermatologists can't make diagnoses based purely on a visual inspection. So if you think your mole doesn't look like anything to worry about, it could still be a potential issue.

Melanoma's Volatile Nature

Melanoma, or skin cancer, is extremely dangerous. It can develop quietly and spread all over the body before it's diagnosed, which makes it a huge threat to a person's overall health. However, it's arguably also one of the easiest forms of cancer to get rid of, if the timing is right.

When melanoma develops on the surface in the form of a mole or other strange skin patch, it's often the origin point of the disease. If this disease is cut out and eliminated before it can spread through the body, in many cases, cancer can be completely cured and won't return. However, if too much time passes and the cancer cells spread and metastasize through the body, more treatment may be required, like radiation or chemotherapy.

Wasted Time, Saved Life

When it comes down to it, the worst thing that can happen from visiting a dermatologist for a suspicious mole is being told that it's nothing. But what a relief to hear that. In addition, if you don't like the mole in the first place, the dermatologist will likely offer to remove the entire thing while they're taking a tissue sample. This can rid you of a cosmetic imperfection whether or not it turns out to be a risk to your health, so you have nothing to lose except an unwanted beauty mark and a possible danger to your health.

Suspicious moles and other skin issues should never be ignored. Contact a dermatologist if you have one; you'll feel better seeing someone and knowing it's taken care of, even if it turns out to be benign, than letting it be and worrying over it.

Share  

Tips For Maintaining Healthy Skin Throughout All Phases Of Life

Through our highly researched blog posts, we educate our visitors on dermatology topics such as how autoimmune disorders affect the skin, why cystic acne may be linked to endocrine disorders, and how to keep your skin looking young and healthy as you age. Preventing skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma is one of our highest priorities, and because of this, you'll find many educational articles pertaining to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatments for skin cancer. Other blog topics you may stumble upon when you visit our site include which vitamins and minerals help promote collagen formation while preventing free radical damage caused by the sun and cigarette smoking. To learn how to preserve the health of your skin, stop by our site and have a look at our posts.

Latest Posts