Detect suspicious moles early. Mole Mapping is a screening service that combines medical expertise with the latest digital technology to map moles on the body from head to toe. The results can be compared to identify changing or new moles over time, including any which show signs of potential malignant melanoma, a common form of skin cancer.
What Is Mole Mapping?
Mole mapping, also known as dermoscopy, is a screening service for those at risk of or concerned about skin cancer. The service is intended to detect malignant melanoma at the earliest possible stage when it is curable with relatively minor surgery.
To ensure skin conditions are detected early, it is important to continually check your moles to track any changes. By checking your moles regularly, you should be able to catch a suspicious mole at an early stage so it can be dealt with quickly. Checking your own moles can often be very difficult, especially if you have a lot or have moles in hard to see areas such as the back and shoulders. Our Mole Mapping service does this for you quickly and effectively. Should any suspicious moles be discovered as part of your Mole Mapping, you’ll be fast-tracked to the best course of action.
Click HERE to learn more about moles, warts, skin tags, cysts and other skin lesions.
What Does It Involve?
A usual mole mapping appointment will take about 30 minutes.
We’ll start by asking you some questions about your moles and why you are concerned about them. We’ll discuss the full procedure with you and may take a few photographs of all the moles on your skin. We’ll then examine your skin and any moles or lesions of concern will be looked at under a dermoscope at higher resolution. Your consultant will then give advice in light of the findings.
This advice is likely to fall into one of four categories:
Low risk – we will discuss either continued self-examination and review at the clinic, or a planned annual review depending on which you prefer.
Intermittent risk – we would advise annual Mole Mapping with a consultant review.
Abnormal mole with some concern – we will discuss either removal or monitoring with checks every three or six months.
Abnormal mole with greater concern – we would advise removal.
Mole mapping is done in our rooms and you will be able to go home immediately afterwards.
Benefits Of Screenings
Your skin is the largest organ of the body, and one of the best ways to keep it healthy is with regular mole mapping and skin cancer screenings.
In the early stages, skin cancer is at its most treatable. When you get regular screenings and something is found, treatment can usually be faster, simpler, and less involved than if you were to wait. Perhaps the most important benefit of regular screenings is the peace of mind they can bring. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, so it’s not overdoing it to get screened regularly.