The Hidden Dangers of Moles: Understanding the Warning Signs of Skin Cancer

Moles are small, pigmented spots on the skin that are usually benign. The average person has 10-40 moles distributed across their body, with congenital moles present at birth and acquired moles developing later in life. These moles tend to appear on areas of skin exposed to light and are less likely to appear on the scalp, chest, and buttocks. Some moles may fade and disappear over time.

Benign moles are typically smaller than 5 mm in diameter, yellow-brown or brown in color, round or oval in shape, and have a smooth surface. People with darker skin types tend to have darker moles than those with lighter skin types. Those at risk of malignant moles include individuals regularly exposed to sunlight, toxic chemicals, arsenic poisoning, and those with a family history of skin cancer. Older people are at higher risk of moles becoming cancerous than younger people.

Moles with a risk of cancer often have irregular edges, a non-smooth surface, multiple colors, and are larger than 6 mm in size. Malignant moles may bleed easily, itch, crust, and rapidly change in size, shape