Suspicious Mole or Freckle? Here's What to Do

Most people have between 10 and 40 moles on their bodies, and the vast majority are completely harmless. However, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and at least one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. The good news is that it's also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when it's caught early. 

Continue reading to learn how UV radiation quietly damages your skin over time, how to use the ABCDE melanoma rules to find out if a mole or freckle needs to be checked out, and where to find the best skin cancer screenings in Bend, OR. 

How the Sun Damages Your Skin 

The sun may feel warm and inviting, but it can actually cause real damage that you can’t even see until it is too late. Every time your skin is exposed to sunlight without protection, it absorbs ultraviolet radiation that can change your DNA. Both UVA and UVB rays damage the DNA in skin cells, producing genetic mutations that can lead to skin cancer and premature aging. 

• UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin and are the main driver of wrinkles and long-term aging
• UVB rays hit the outer layer and cause the redness and burning you feel after too much time in the sun

Damage from UV exposure after being exposed to the sun without a broad-spectrum sunscreen can’t be repaired and can build up over time, triggering mutations that cause skin cells to multiply rapidly, which can lead to malignant tumors. This means a tan might fade in a few weeks, but the cellular damage lasts a lifetime. 

High, intermittent exposure to solar UV, like sunbathing or taking vacations in sunny climates where exposure to the sun is high, can be a significant risk factor for the development of malignant melanoma. Even occasional, unprotected sun exposure adds up over the years.

What is a Normal Mole vs. a Suspicious Mole?

Not every dark spot on your skin is cause for alarm, and it helps to know what a healthy mole actually looks like: 

• Normal moles are harmless collections of melanocytes, or pigment cells of the skin. They are round or oval, with a smooth edge, and usually no larger than about one-quarter inch in diameter. If the mole is the same color and solid throughout, it should not be anything to worry about. 
• A suspicious mole, on the other hand, tends to look uneven and may have jagged edges, more than one color, or may have grown noticeably since you first spotted it. 

Existing moles can become cancerous, but it is more common for skin cancer to appear on seemingly normal skin. That means you shouldn't only be watching the moles you've had for years, but also new spots deserve just as much attention. If you're over age 30 and you find a new mole, you should still get it checked out, even if it's likely harmless. Getting it checked is always a better move than guessing.

The ABCDE Melanoma Rules for At-Home Skin Cancer Detection

Dermatologists have developed a simple five-letter system to help you evaluate a mole at home, and it's one of the most practical tools you can learn. The ABCDE rule for skin cancer detection includes: 

• A is for Asymmetry: If you draw a line through the middle of the mole, the two halves don't match
• B is for Border: The edges are uneven and may have a scalloped or notched appearance rather than a smooth outline
• C is for Color: While a benign mole is usually one consistent shade of brown, a concerning mole may show different shades of brown, tan, or black, and as it grows, colors like red, white, or blue may appear
• D is for Diameter: A spot the size of a pencil eraser (about 6 mm) or larger is a warning sign
• E is for Evolving: Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation over time is a red flag

Of all five letters, E may be the most important. A mole that was stable for years and suddenly starts changing is telling you something. The estimated five-year survival rate for patients whose melanoma is detected early is over 99%, but that rate falls to 35% when the disease spreads to distant organs. The ABCDE rule exists precisely to help you catch it before it ever gets to that point.

The Ugly Duckling Sign

The ABCDE rule is a powerful tool, but there's a second warning sign that most people have never heard of, and it's just as useful. Most of the moles on your body tend to resemble each other. They're roughly the same color, size, and shape. An ugly duckling is a mole or freckle that doesn't match the others. It might be scabbed over or look more raised than the moles around it. 

An ugly duckling mole might also be lighter or darker than the others on your skin, or it might simply be noticeably larger or smaller. Isolated spots with no surrounding moles to compare against are also considered ugly ducklings. 

The value of this rule is that it catches what the ABCDE criteria sometimes miss. Not all types of skin cancer, or melanomas, display the classic ABCDE features, making the ugly duckling sign a powerful complementary screening tool. 

How to Do a Monthly Skin Self-Exam

One of the best things you can do for your skin health costs nothing and takes about ten minutes a month. A skin self-exam gives you a consistent look at your entire body so that changes, even small ones, don't slip past you: 

• Use a well-lit room, a full-length mirror, and a hand mirror
• Examine your entire front and back, raise your arms to check both sides of your body, look inside your mouth, and check your forearms, upper arms, palms, and between your fingers
• Ask someone to help you check hard-to-see areas like the scalp, because skin cancer can develop in places that don't get sun exposure, including under your arms, the soles of your feet, your buttocks, and your genital areas

When you find a mole or spot worth keeping an eye on, use a small ruler to note its size and take a photo to track any changes in color, shape, or size over time. Doing this once a month is enough. Remember, you're not looking for daily changes; you're looking for a mole that looks different from what it did last month, or a spot that appeared out of nowhere. 

When to Get a Mole Checked Out

Finding a suspicious spot can feel unsettling, but knowing what to do next makes it easier to take action. The general rule is simple: if something meets any of the ABCDE criteria, looks like an ugly duckling, or is simply new and unfamiliar, make an appointment. 

At the appointment, the best dermatology clinic in Bend uses a dermatoscope to get a better look at the structure and patterns beneath the surface. If a mole looks concerning, the next step is usually a biopsy, which involves removing the spot and sending it to a lab. A skin biopsy is typically a quick procedure done with a local anesthetic, and it's the most reliable way to determine whether a mole is cancerous. 

How often you should be screened depends on your individual risk factors, including your skin tone, family history, and history of sun exposure. ‘

How to Protect Yourself From Skin Cancer 

Skin cancer is almost always preventable, and it takes just a few simple steps to protect yourself from almost every form of skin cancer. You can lower your risk of skin cancer by: 

• Wearing sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF), even on cloudy days
• Wearing a wide-brimmed hat when you are out in the sun 
• Avoiding ultraviolet (UV) radiation as much as possible 
• Doing monthly self-exams and getting yearly professional skin cancer checks to detect signs of melanoma early

Finding the Best Skin Cancer Screenings in Bend, OR

Catching a suspicious mole early is one of the simplest ways to protect your long-term health. If you’re looking for the best dermatologist in Bend, OR, Amy Snow offers high-end dermatology services to meet your needs. 

Led by Amy Snow, PA-C, our state-of-the-art dermatology office offers thorough skin cancer screenings and a patient-first approach to care. Our skin cancer screenings include advanced tools and technology to ensure no sign is missed, fast biopsy results, and personalized treatment plans whenever necessary. 

Ready to put your mind at ease with thorough exams and the best skin cancer screenings in Bend, OR?