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Should I Be Concerned About a New Mole?

Ali Hendi, MD Blog Should I Be Concerned About a New Mole?
Should I Be Concerned About a New Mole?

If moles were dangerous, we’d all be in trouble. The National Cancer Institute estimates that the average adult has 10-40 moles. Most folks continue getting new moles until about age 40. 

In other words, if you just noticed a new mole, it’s not an immediate cause for concern. It is, however, worth keeping an eye on. 

Ali Hendi, MD, and Joanna Dong, MD, want to help you protect yourself against skin cancer, so we built this guide. If you watch for these warning signs of a problem mole, you’ll know when it’s time to schedule a skin cancer screening at our office in Chevy Chase, Maryland. 

Signs your new mole could be dangerous

Your new mole could be a harmless patch of pigment. But it could also indicate harmful and irregular skin cell growth (i.e., skin cancer). 

First, check the new mole against your other moles. If it doesn’t look like the rest of the spots on your body, medical experts call it a dysplastic nevus (nevus is the medical term for mole). That irregularity is a potential indicator that you’re dealing with cancerous cell growth. 

Dermatologists have developed a handy tool to further watch for skin cancer — apply the ABCDEs. Check your mole for:

These are all potential warning signs that your mole could be cancerous. 

It’s also worth talking to Dr. Dong or Dr. Hendi if your mole:

If any of the above applies to your new mole, it’s time to schedule a visit to our office. 

What to do about new moles that could be a problem

If you’re worried about your new mole, come see Dr. Hendi or Dr. Dong. We can evaluate your new mole, comparing it against your other moles, your personal health history, and your family history of skin cancer. This helps us determine if your new mole warrants a biopsy. 

A biopsy requires removing the mole and testing it for cancerous cells. The earlier we do this, the lower the likelihood that those cancerous cells have had a chance to spread. In other words, being proactive about new moles gives you a way to protect your overall health.

If you’ve noticed any new moles, watch them. If they change, don’t look like your other moles, or show any of the warning signs we’ve outlined, come see our team to be safe. 

Call our office at 301-812-4591 or make an appointment online to schedule your skin cancer screening today.

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