Beware of the mole that never heals

It could be a sign of skin cancer, writes Dr Vikas Goswami, and recommends a routine skin examination once a year

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in over two million people are diagnosed annually all over the world. Melanoma is the most common form of skin cancer caused by sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and on the legs in women. Melanoma occurs in people with dark skin tones, and is more likely to occur in areas not normally exposed to the sun.

Melanoma can develop anywhere on your body, in otherwise normal skin or in an existing mole that becomes cancerous. Most often, it appears on the head or neck of affected men.

In women, this type of cancer most often develops on the lower legs. In both men and women, melanoma can even occur on skin that hasn’t been exposed to the sun. It can affect people of any skin tone.

Signs to watch out for

• A large brownish spot with darker speckles.
• A mole that changes colour, size or that bleeds.
• A small lesion with an irregular border and portions that appear red, white, blue or blue-black.
• Dark lesions on your palms, soles, fingertips or toes, or on mucous membranes lining your mouth, nose, vagina or anus, under breasts and under arms in women.
• Visible sores that don’t heal within three months.

Who’s at RiskIJ

• People who have excessive exposure to UV light, usually from the sun, but also from tanning lamps and booths.
• People who smoke, have blond, red or light brown hair, and blue, grey or green eyes.
• People with fair skin or freckles, or whose skin burns easily. People with a personal or family history of skin cancer.
• People with weak immune system.
• People who have had organ transplants and who take immuno-suppressive drugs.
• People who are exposed to ionising radiation or pesticides.
• People who have several moles on their bodies, especially since birth, or who have unusual moles.
• People who have one or more large pigmented spots.

First of all self-assessment test is very important because you will be the first person to know about the appearance of such moles/skin tags on your body. You can reduce the risk of skin cancer by limiting or avoiding exposure to UV radiation. Checking your skin for suspicious changes can help detect skin cancer at its earliest stages. Early detection of skin cancer gives you the greatest chance for successful treatment.

Tips to remember:

• Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Always wear sunscreen with UVB and UVA exposure protective chemicals and with SPF 30 or higher, even on cloudy days.
• Wear sunglasses treated to absorb UV radiation; use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15, and wear tight-weave clothing with long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Check your body every month.
• Have a routine whole-body skin check by a healthcare professional once a year.

 Check skin if you notice...

• A sore that doesn’t heal. 
• Change in the border of that spot, small or large.
• Itchiness and bleeding.
• Pain in the mole.

Make an appointment with an oncologist or cancer expert if you notice any change in your skin that worries you. Not all skin changes are caused by skin cancer. Your doctor will investigate your skin changes to determine the cause.

The writer is Senior Consultant Oncologist from CTC, Fortis Hospital