Do you need mole mapping after skin cancer screening?

A skin cancer screening examines your skin for suspicious or changing lesions and determines whether any area needs closer assessment. Mole mapping creates a visual record of selected moles, often with close-up images, so later visits can compare their appearance. It supports surveillance; it does not replace a clinical examination or biopsy when a lesion is concerning.

Mapping may be useful when you have many moles, atypical-looking moles, a personal or family history that raises concern, or difficulty tracking lesions yourself. A clinician may instead recommend ordinary self-checks and scheduled reviews when the examination is reassuring.

Ask which lesions should be recorded, how the images will be compared and when you should return. Keep your own note of new or changing marks, including their location, size, colour and symptoms. Use consistent skin protection and check areas that are easy to miss, such as the scalp, soles and between the toes, with help when needed.

Report a mole that changes in shape or colour, develops several shades, bleeds, crusts, itches persistently or grows. Do not wait for a mapping appointment if a mark is changing quickly.

Arrange prompt dermatology review for a new or changing mole, a non-healing spot, a bleeding lesion or a dark mark that looks different from your others. Seek urgent care for severe infection signs after a procedure, such as rapidly spreading redness, fever or uncontrolled bleeding.

What did the screening find? Would baseline images help in my case? Which moles should be monitored or removed, and what changes should trigger an earlier review?