Moles are very common, even to those who think they don’t have them because they are present somewhere they cannot be seen easily, like on the back. Though moles do not cause any discomfort, some people may get abnormal mole growths. Mole mapping is a skin screening test to identify cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions present in your body.
Skin cancer can be treated when the cancerous part is detected and removed early. Mole mapping helps in the early detection of cancerous or precancerous moles.
What is mole mapping?
Mole mapping is a medical procedure done by dermatologists or skin physicians to monitor pigmented lesions that may turn cancerous in the future.
Mole mapping uses high-resolution photography to screen skin and track mole shape, size, and growth pattern changes. The unknown changes in moles may point out a mole’s potential to turn cancerous.
Process of mole mapping
Mole mapping is a clinical process where the skin care physician runs a special digital photography device on the skin to capture high-resolution pictures of moles and lesions.
Mole mapping is really helpful and highly recommended for skin cancer detection called melanoma.
Although mole mapping doesn’t prevent skin cancer growth, it can indicate skin cancer and allow you to start the treatment as early as possible.
Why is mole mapping important?
Since moles do not cause significant discomfort, pain or irritation, most people who dont mind their appearance, live with them. But it is extremely important to be knowledgeable about melanoma and mole mapping, as it is a preventive test. It is also important to be aware of mole mapping because
- More than 70% of melanoma are new moles
- You must be aware of moles, freckles, and other marks on your body and consult a skin physician for mole mapping on seeing unusual and sudden mole growths
- Mole mapping is important if you have moles and lesions on the back or other body parts that are not easily accessible for checking
Benefits of mole mapping
Some benefits of mole mapping are as follows:
- Mole mapping documents the history of moles and lesions
- It detects skin changes
- It detects critical, unidentified, or suspicious lesions, which can be removed which can be removed by the skin care physician
- The dermoscopy photos are magnified digital images that help the skin care physician in detailed examination of moles (which can be missed in physical examination or normal photography of moles)
Who should get mole mapping?
You should invest in mole mapping if you have
- Several moles on your body
- A family history of skin cancer
- Unusual moles
- Congenital nevi – moles by birth suddenly change in size and texture
- Atypical moles with ragged, blurred borders- usually larger in size
- Pale skin and/or skin tans due to excess sun’s exposure
- Irreversible sunburns. Usually, sunburns go away by precautionary measures in a few months. But in skin cancer, the skin might turn permanently pale, so you must consult a skin care physician.
- Excess exposure to the sun
- Suppressed immune system exhibiting skin changes
- Moles on the back or parts that cannot be inspected yourself
- Recent changes in individual moles
Dr. Shehla Ebrahim is an accredited skin care physician, who is caring and compassionate towards her patients. She uses innovative technologies for the safest and most flawless skin treatments. She also encourages people to consult her upon witnessing unusual mole growths on the skin as early detection of cancerous moles (melanoma) can be treated in early stages.
Consult Dr. Shehla Ebrahim, your skin care specialist HERE.