Many people have moles, which are elevated spots on the skin.
In most cases they are harmless, but they do need to be monitored due to a greater risk of complications from sun exposure.
People over the age of 50 who have numerous moles have a higher risk of developing skin cancer and should visit their healthcare provider for check-ups.
Although 11,000 new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year, and this figure is set to double by 2045, the good news is that 90% of cases can be curable with early detection.
Heather Feeney is a pharmacist with Boots, who offer a mole scanning service.
She joined us for our weekly medical consultation to discuss what changes to look out for in moles.
Heather recommends using the the ABCDE rule:
A - Asymmetry: check if the mole is the same on both sides
B - Border: make sure the border is well defined
C - Colour: look for changes in colour
D - Diameter: check that the diameter is not in excess of 5-6 mm
E - Evolving: look for changes in shape or size, or any itching or bleeding
Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.
