A mole needs a doctor to look at it if it is new in adulthood, changing in size, shape or colour, or if it itches, bleeds, crusts or simply looks different from your other moles. Most moles are harmless, and most changes turn out to be nothing serious, but melanoma is much easier to treat when it is found early. If in doubt, get it checked.
This guide is part of our private GP series. It explains what to look for, how doctors assess moles, and what happens if a mole needs further investigation.
What makes a mole worth checking?
Doctors often use the ABCDE checklist, which the NHS also recommends:
- A for asymmetry: the two halves of the mole look different.
- B for border: the edge is ragged, notched or blurred.
- C for colour: several shades of brown, black, blue, grey, red or white in one mole.
- D for diameter: larger than about 6 mm, although melanomas can be smaller.
- E for evolving: any change in size, shape, colour or height over weeks or months.
Change is the most important sign of all. Other features worth checking include a mole that itches, bleeds, oozes or crusts without being injured, a new mole appearing after about the age of 30, and an “ugly duckling” mole that looks different from all your others.
Not all skin cancers are dark moles. A pink or pearly lump, a scaly patch, or a sore that does not heal within four weeks should also be checked.
Who is at higher risk of skin cancer?
- fair skin that burns easily, light-coloured eyes, or red or fair hair
- a large number of moles, or unusual-looking moles
- a history of sunburn, especially blistering sunburn in childhood
- use of sunbeds
- a personal or family history of melanoma or other skin cancer
- a weakened immune system, for example after an organ transplant
Skin cancer can affect people of any skin tone. In darker skin, melanoma is more often found on the palms, soles, under the nails or inside the mouth, so these areas are worth checking too.
Related readingCysts, lipomas and skin tags: removal explainedRead the article →How to check your own skin
A monthly check takes a few minutes. Use a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, or ask someone to help with your back and scalp. Look at your whole body, including between the toes, the soles of your feet and under your nails.
Photographs are very helpful. Take a clear, well-lit photo of any mole you are unsure about, with a ruler or coin next to it for scale, and compare it every month or two. This gives a doctor valuable information about whether it is changing.
What happens at a mole check?
A doctor will ask about the mole’s history, any changes, your sun exposure and your personal and family history of skin cancer. They will look at the mole closely, usually with a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying light that shows patterns beneath the skin surface that cannot be seen with the naked eye. They may also look at your other moles for comparison.
After the examination, there are usually three possible outcomes:
- Reassurance. The mole looks harmless, and you are told what to keep an eye on.
- Monitoring. The mole is photographed and reviewed again after a set interval to check for change.
- Further investigation. If there is any concern, the mole should be assessed by a specialist and, where needed, removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Can a mole just be removed?
Harmless moles can sometimes be removed if they catch on clothing or bother you. However, a mole should never be removed or treated with laser for cosmetic reasons until a doctor is confident it is harmless. Any mole that is removed should be sent to a laboratory, so there is a definite answer. If a mole looks suspicious, it should be removed by the appropriate specialist team rather than as a routine minor procedure. Our guide to cysts, lipomas and skin tags explains how minor surgery works for lumps that are not moles.
When to see a doctor sooner
Please see a doctor within days, rather than waiting, if a mole or skin lesion:
- is changing quickly in size, shape or colour
- bleeds, oozes or becomes crusty without an injury
- is a new, firm lump that is growing quickly
- is a new dark streak under a nail that is not from an injury
If a doctor suspects skin cancer, NHS guidance supports an urgent referral to a specialist. Your NHS GP can refer you on the urgent suspected cancer pathway. Please do not delay seeking help because of cost or waiting times, and do not wait for a private appointment if you can be seen sooner elsewhere.
This list is not exhaustive. If you are not sure about something, see a doctor.
How we approach this at Aarva
Mole checks at Aarva are with Dr Saptarshi Saha, a GP since 2007 with a postgraduate diploma in clinical dermatology. We take a full history, examine the mole with a dermatoscope, and look at your other moles for comparison if you would like.
Your doctor explains what we found and what we recommend there and then, whether that is reassurance, monitoring or referral, with a clear price for any further steps. There is no pressure to book on the day. If we are concerned about skin cancer, we will tell you on the day and arrange a prompt referral, either to a private dermatologist or through your NHS GP, whichever you prefer. You can read more about what to expect, our private GP care, and when a private GP appointment makes sense. For flat brown marks that are not moles, see our page on pigmentation.
Questions patients ask
How do I know if a mole is cancerous?
You cannot tell for certain by looking, and neither can a doctor without the right assessment. Changes in size, shape or colour, ragged edges, several colours, bleeding or itching are reasons to have a mole checked promptly.
Can a doctor tell if a mole is harmless just by looking?
A doctor can often be confident using a dermatoscope and your history. If there is any doubt, the mole should be monitored or referred, and if removed, sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Should I have a mole removed for cosmetic reasons?
Only once a doctor is confident it is harmless. A mole should never be lasered or removed without an assessment, and any removed mole should be sent for laboratory analysis.
How often should I check my moles?
Once a month is a good habit. Photos with a ruler for scale make it much easier to spot change.
If a mole is worrying you, you can book a consultation with our doctor, or use find your starting point to choose the right appointment.
This article is general information and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.
