Atypical Moles

Atypical moles ar's size aree moles that greater than 6 mm in diameter, they also have color changes and uneven borders. If you have any atypical moles you should have a skin screening by a medical professional. Good news is that not all of these moles are cancerous. However, single atypical mole does not increase the lifetime risk of melanoma; however, whena lot of multiple atypical moles are present, the relative risk of melanoma is increased. The greatest risk is in people who have mor than 50 of these moles. Also, a patient who has atypical moles has an increased risk of melanoma even in the absence of a personal or family history of melanoma. Prevention and early detection of atypical moles should be discussed with your doctor. Sun avoidance and skin protection should be reviewed, especially the importance of avoiding sunburns in childhood. For patients who have atypical moles, a reasonable practice is to examine the skin at least every 12 months.