Moles with these signs should be examined for cancer

Unusual moles that appear could be a sign of a tumor or skin cancer - Illustration.

According to MSc. Vu Nguyen Binh, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Central Dermatology Hospital), moles are small, dark spots (black or brown), round or oval in shape, appearing singly or in groups of several adjacent moles on the skin.

Each person has an average of 10-40 moles on their body. Most moles are benign, but some have a risk of becoming malignant, due to their location in areas of friction or exposure to sunlight and chemicals.

Moles located in areas subject to friction, such as under clothing, on the waistband, or neck, have a high risk of necrosis due to frequent rubbing, and can even cause bleeding. In particular, melanoma lesions are most commonly found on the palms and soles of the feet.

People who are frequently exposed to sunlight, especially strong sunlight, have an increased risk of developing the disease, and this risk also increases with age. Additionally, exposure to toxic chemicals and arsenic poisoning are also risk factors. Moles in areas of friction: palms, soles of feet, waistbands, straps of clothing, etc.

People with a family history of melanoma have a higher risk of developing cancerous moles.

Signs of malignant moles

Doctor Binh pointed out five signs to identify moles that may be malignant, according to the "ABCDE" principle:

A (asymmetry) - Asymmetrical moles : Normally, moles are round or oval, symmetrical on both sides, but moles with a risk of malignancy will be asymmetrical.

B (border) - Irregular border : Benign moles have a soft, rounded border, but malignant moles have a map-like, jagged, and irregular border.

C (color) - Uneven color : Instead of being just brown or black, moles with a high risk of malignancy may have areas of varying shades, including dark, light, black, brown, or depigmented areas.

D (diameter) - Large size : Common moles typically have a diameter of less than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser). Moles with a diameter greater than 6mm are considered risk factors.

E (enlarging) - Abnormal growth : The size of a normal mole increases slowly, sometimes taking 10 years to grow just a few millimeters, eventually stopping growth altogether. With moles that have a risk of malignancy, the time it takes to grow from small to large is very short, possibly within just a few months.

"When you notice unusual moles on your skin, especially in areas frequently exposed to sunlight or areas prone to friction (palms, soles of feet), you should proactively see a dermatologist. The appearance of unusual moles could be a sign of tumors or skin cancer," Dr. Binh emphasized.

Additionally, you should practice checking at home, perhaps by asking a family member to check or using a mirror. Use a small mirror or stand in front of a large mirror to see the moles on your skin more clearly.

How can we prevent skin cancer?

Dr. Nguyen Hong Son, from the Central Dermatology Hospital, stated that skin cancer can be treated using one or more of the following methods:

- Surgery : Skin cancer is often treated with surgery to remove the cancerous mass. For some types of cancer, in addition to removing the lesion, it may be necessary to remove nearby lymph nodes to prevent metastasis.

- Radiation therapy : Using radiation to destroy cancer cells.

- Chemotherapy : Using cytotoxic chemicals to treat skin cancer in cases where the tumor has spread or metastasized to distant sites.

Skin cancer can be prevented by avoiding sun exposure during the middle of the day (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); using sunscreen and reapplying it frequently; wearing a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, or long pants; not using tanning beds; and treating chronic skin conditions and ulcers.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/not-ruoi-co-nhung-dau-hieu-nay-nen-di-kham-ung-thu-2024092020105958.htm