What should you know about non cancerous moles?

A benign mole may be flat or raised, evenly coloured or lightly pigmented, and present for many years. Some are present from childhood and others appear later. A clinician considers its pattern, border, colour, size, location, and whether it has changed compared with earlier images.

A mole can be harmless even when it is dark or raised, and a concerning lesion can be subtle. Visual appearance cannot provide certainty in every case. If the diagnosis is unclear, a dermatologist may recommend sampling or removing the lesion for laboratory examination.

Use sun protection, avoid deliberate tanning, and check your skin periodically in good light, including areas that are easy to miss. Keep a simple photograph record of a mole that is difficult to remember. Do not cut, tie off, or use chemical products on a mole at home.

Removal is not required for every benign mole. It may be considered if clothing repeatedly catches it, it is irritated, its appearance bothers you, or its diagnosis needs clarification. Surgical excision removes the lesion with a margin of surrounding skin; other mole-removal approaches depend on its depth and appearance.

Book a dermatology assessment if a mole changes in shape, colour, size, or surface, or if it starts itching, bleeding, crusting, or becoming sore. Seek prompt care for rapid change or unexplained bleeding. These signs do not prove cancer, but they should not be ignored.

Ask: Does this mole look clinically benign? Should it be photographed, monitored, biopsied, or removed? Which changes should prompt an earlier appointment? If removal is chosen, what result should I expect and will the tissue be examined?