Mole or Skin Cancer??

What is the difference between a mole and skin cancer? Here are some specifics: A mole that is melanoma can sometimes itch. Itching associated with a melanoma can vary -- it will not necessarily itch all the time. It's said that a risk factor for melanoma is a mole that stands out or looks different from others. What makes a mole look "different" is the comparison of it to others. If a mole on your arm looks different than all your others, but it has always looked the same, it may warrant getting checked out. What is specific to look at when it comes to moles is changes - irregular colors, border, size, recent changes. There is a type of melanoma -- the amelanotic melanoma -- that is hard to spot because it does not have the classic dark, changing colors most people associate with a "bad" mole. These can look like pink or light red or even flesh colored skin lesions making them very difficult to identify as a skin problem. Aain, it is best to look for changes and consult your doctor with your concerns. A melanoma will often have changes -- color and size. The initial changes may be subtle, so only one may be noticed at first, but if left over time, then a change in size is almost always seen. Skin cancer warning lists mentions moles the size of a pencil eraser as being possible signs of melanoma. The rules regarding melanoma are certainly not definite. A melanoma can be very small not always bigger than a pencil eraser. Best practice is if a lesion looks suspicious it should be biopsied -- and everyone should have a yearly skin exam by a dermatologist to be safe. If caught early, 95 percent, 97 percent, or "near 100 percent" of melanoma can be cured.