It’s my mole: how and why to monitor birthmarks?

Truly safe moles are only those that appeared in early childhood. All that appeared later are already neoplasms, each of which, in an unfavorable scenario, can develop into melanoma. It doesn’t take much for that: sunburn in the past, excess ultraviolet radiation in the present, injury to a birthmark, and just bad luck – the stars didn’t converge like that!

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive tumors: starting from a tiny point, it “germinates” in the skin, then spreads through the lymphatic and blood vessels throughout the body and affects the organs. Most often, patients seek treatment in stages 3 and 4, when there is not much to do. That is why it is so important to detect a dubious mole in time. To make regular check-ups a habit for you and your loved ones, imagine them as a game: create a “star map” of your body. You are the guardian of the galaxy.

Dangerous moles can hide anywhere, even under fingernails. It makes sense to offer several rituals: during a manicure, inspect the nail bed, after training – the legs (by the way, melanoma most often appears in women here). When you do a mask on your day off – face, neck, area behind ears. And so on.

What distinguishes a suspicious mole? Western scientists have developed the ABCDE method, which allows you to detect dangerous changes without a doctor. Below is a visual diagram of “good” and “bad” moles:

Read more about diagnostics on the Checkyourskin.ru website: there is a cheat sheet, which parts of the body should not be missed, as well as sunscreen instructions for each phototype.

A pathology from the ABCDE list says nothing. But if three criteria coincided at once, it is worth consulting a dermatologist. Quite often, dubious moles are removed – just in case. Those who are in places of permanent injury, for example, under the strap of a bra, can also fall under the distribution.

Take a photo of controversial moles and places of their greatest accumulation – this will allow you to consider the dynamics of their development. Normally, neoplasms should not grow and change, but their number should increase sharply. By the way, the more moles on the body, the higher the risk of melanoma. Experts call the border number 100.

VOICE Beauty deputy editor Olya Hardina composed her ‘constellation’ of moles – and discovered that it’s according to the horoscope of Libra (it’s good that it’s not Cancer!).

Since childhood, I had only one mole on the side. Imagine my surprise when a few years ago, after an interview with a dermatologist, I decided to examine myself and… find a dozen more! Five on the shoulders – hello, Sochi-2009! I will never forget that sunburn. One on the top of the foot (I admit, I forgot to apply SPF here), a few lighter ones along the swimsuit line… I recorded everything and now I’m watching them closely, and my husband examines those on the back. He likes:)

Pass the space quest on the site http://cosmos.checkyourskin.ru/. Your goal is to find a maximum of “constellations” on the “body map” and create your universe of moles!

DA. If an episode of sunburn occurs in childhood or adolescence, the risk of melanoma in 20-40 years in this place doubles. If two episodes – tripled.

Yes. The place where the burns are received – in the natural sun or in the solarium – does not matter much. In addition, in tanning salons, they often forget to change UV lamps, because it increases the financial burden of salons. However, the radiation intensity of the “old” lamps is increased and greater UV exposure of the skin can be achieved.

Not necessary. Typical nevi are not dangerous in themselves and should not be treated as an illness. The threshold at which you should watch out for melanoma risk is 100 or more moles. The risk is especially increased when unusual ones are found among the typical ones: with jagged edges, different colors, asymmetrical.

It is impossible to give a definitive answer: the studies are contradictory. But it is absolutely certain that the cream does not protect 100%. Do not stay in the hot sun for too long (more than 1-1.5 hours). The safest intervals are in the morning before 10 a.m. and in the afternoon after 4 p.m. Also, with the mandatory use of protective equipment (canopies, hats, T-shirts, sunglasses and creams) .

Yes. She is treated very well at first. If a dermatologist saw it with a fast stage zero treatment, the cure rate would be 100%! If it is an early form of melanoma, the first stage, 85-95% of patients recover completely after minor surgery, often performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia in an oncology clinic.