There is a small round smooth mark on your arm, but is it a mole or a freckle? There is another, much bigger than the first, a bit rough and scaly. Is this one just a freckle or a mole that could be changing for the worse? Whether you have the first or the second, it is smart to go into the doctors to see dermatologist at least once or even twice a year just to be on the safe side. As they always recommend, always wear sunscreen whether you are in direct sunlight or not, again to be safe against the feared skin cancer.

Moles that are small, perfectly round, smooth, and are all one color are not to be feared for they are normal and lack any cancer cells. Of course even if the mole is big, not completely round, and not completely smooth, there is a good chance that the mole is cancer free, though if you do not get it checked out right away it may sadly turn for the worse. There are different types of cancer that can be caused by moles and the sun: basil cell carcinoma (BCC), melanoma (though the least common skin cancer), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The Internet is riddled with pictures and great information about skin cancer, moles, and how you should make an appointment with a dermatologist at least once a year.

http://www.visualdxhealth.com/diseaseGroups/skinCancer_moles.htm

             I myself am nicknamed the mole child because of how many moles I have all over my body, some that are small, others a bit bigger, and still others that are raised.  I have had two removed; three shaved, and I am thinking of getting another removed because of its position.  One on my back had been biopsied three times before my dermatologist, my mother, and I decided to get it removed completely.  It was the size of a quarter, different shades of brown, and a bit rough to the touch, but thankfully each biopsy, as well as when it was removed and tested, showed no signs of cancer.  The one on my chest was smaller but still I had fear that it may be cancerous but thankfully my fears were wrong.  I had it removed because it was changing in color and a bit in size.  I had to get one on my side shaved because it was raised and it was nearly ripped off while I was with a friend at a water park.  Ouch!  It definitely hurt!  One on my stomach was shaved because it was continuously being hit by my shirt and pants and I was afraid that it would be ripped off.  And one more was almost completely removed because it was changing and its position on my left breast made me fear even more because again skin cancer there could easily become breast cancer, and again thankfully no signs of cancer.

            The last mole I am thinking of getting completely removed is on the back of my head, raised and red.  It is also been falling apart when I touch it, flaking off which is not a good sign when it comes to moles.  And though my hair protects it from the sun, it isn’t always protected from getting cut by combs and brushes when I get my hair cut.  I constantly have to tell the hair stylist to please be careful and I am getting tired of it.  It is time to get it removed and checked just to be on the safe side.

            Even if you have your doubts about one, getting a biopsy or just having it completely removed and tested would be the best thing to do, the smartest thing to do, and the safest thing to do.  Make appointments to get your moles checked either once or even twice a year, or more if you feel safer, but at least once a year is your safest bet.  Check online and get more information, see the pictures and compare if you wish against your own moles, but again always make an appointment with your dermatologist.  Always ALWAYS wear sunscreen whether in direct sunlight or not.  Sadly a good neighbor and friend of mine loved working out in the sun and he paid the ultimate price, death, of course his smoking didn’t do him any good either.  But yes he did die from skin cancer that turned into lung cancer.  Very sad!

            Don’t let this happen to you!  Please please always get checked by a dermatologist once a year and wear sunscreen to keep safe.