Mole Check

It is possible to develop skin cancer at any time during your life, particularly if you are considered high risk (e.g. you have fair skin). That said, the older you are the more likely you are to develop skin cancer so we strongly recommend this for those in their 50s or older.

The whole process does not take longer than half an hour. You will then meet your dermatologist for a further half an hour.

We recommend you come in regularly to have your moles monitored every six months.

Mole mapping is the most comprehensive safeguard against skin cancer and is recommended for anyone worried about their moles. Early detection saves lives, and mole mapping is the best option for supporting the detection process.

Mole mapping and Dermoscopy begins with a consultation and full clinical examination by a Consultant Dermatologist. The Dermatologist begins by identifying and marking any suspicious moles and ones which warrant monitoring.

Next, the patient will be taken through the process of having whole-body photography and dermoscopy of any moles that the dermatologist has marked. For the photography, the patient will stand on a mat at a fixed distance to allow for reproducible images to be taken by the camera on the mole mapping machine. Close up dermoscopy images are then taken of any moles identified by the dermatologist for monitoring using a hand-held dermoscope, which uses polarised light for accurate imaging.
All dermoscopy images are uploaded to the patients' medical profile to allow the dermatologist to view the moles in detail. This completes the initial clinical examination.

There will be a follow-up appointment booked by the dermatologist in order to have the dermoscopic images repeated to see if there have been any changes in the moles.

In about 4-6 months' time, a follow-up appointment will be booked so that the process can be carried out in reverse order, with a repeat dermoscopy of the moles being monitored. During this appointment, the Consultant Dermatologist will review any changes in the moles in the before and after photos.

If there is a need for excision of any moles that have changed to prevent further progression, this will be performed under local anaesthetic and the specimen sent to the laboratory for a full histological diagnosis.

Computerized mole mapping is a tool to record moles and detect new moles. This is done in combination with Dermoscopy. It is used to monitor changes in existing moles, detect any progression and pick up skin cancers, especially malignant melanomas, early.

It is important to note that 52% of malignant melanomas are identified through early changes.

The more moles you have, the harder it is to perform accurate self-examinations. This leads to a higher likelihood that one or more moles will change without you noticing.

This type of mole mapping is objective, therefore vital in the prevention of skin cancer.

Our service is overseen by fully trained medical professionals and is unlike the nurse-led equivalents found on the high street.

• Dermatologist-led - Our mole mapping service is dermatologist-led, meaning that every mole map patient is seen by a trained dermatologist and not simply a nurse.
• Computerized mapping - Our mapping tool is computerized and is consequently able to pick up even the subtlest changes in size and shape of your moles
• Dermoscopy - Each mole is also reviewed by our dermatologist team under a high-powered dermatoscope, or dermatology microscope, in order to overlay this assessment with the very best trained professional opinion
• Rapid, same-day removal - We are also able to offer rapid, same-day removal of worrisome moles since we have three fully staffed theatres on site. For the removal of bigger or deeper moles, or those in more visible places and sensitive to scarring, we have a team of plastic surgeons who can undertake the procedure
• Mohs Surgery - We also offer cutting-edge Mohs surgery, the optimal approach for removing skin cancers as determined by NICE (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence)

Most people have moles that remain perfectly fine throughout their lifetime but if you notice signs that a mole has changed in any way, it is wise to have it checked by a dermatologist or doctor during a mole check to make sure it is not cancerous.

This kind of skin cancer includes melanomas, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Moles can also be precancerous lesions, changes that are not cancer but could become cancer over time.

The good news is that skin cancer can be cured if it's found and treated early. Contact the Mole Clinic at Cadogan Clinic for more information.

Bleeding or itchy moles can occur when they have been irritated or scratched – moles catching on clothing, being cut by a razor, makeup application, scratching an insect bite and hair removal are all very common triggers. However, these can also be signs that the mole is cancerous.

There are definite signs that a mole could be a melanoma and individuals should seek immediate advice from a dermatologist. If you have a new mole or a change in your moles such as bleeding, changes in shape, size or colour, itchy or painful moles- it's imperative that you seek medical advice at the earliest possible stage.

Patients should be vigilant in having moles checked annually or as advised by your dermatologist if they have a history of previously abnormal naevi (moles) or skin cancer. An early diagnosis is crucial in managing this potentially life-threatening disease; skin cancer which is detected and removed early is almost always curable.