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Moles and mole check

Moles, also known as nevus or nevi in the plural, are areas on the skin with increased pigmentation. This happens either due to an increase in the production of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin color, or an increase in the number of pigment-producing cells.

In fact, everyone has moles, and most of them are completely harmless. But it is important to be aware of moles that change or look different from the others. In such cases, it is advisable to have them checked by a dermatologist or general practitioner. It is also important to keep an eye out for any new moles that appear

Dermatologist appoitment
Photodynamic treatment of skin

When should you do a check up?

Do you experience uncertainties when moles form? See below for a checklist of when you should see a dermatologist for a consultation.

  • You get a new mole
  • A mole changes shape and colour
  • Gets bigger than before, in thickness or in width
  • Changes shape and gets uneven edges
  • Changes colour, often with brownish-black areas
  • A mole itch bleeds or forms a wound that will not heal.

How is a mole check carried out?

Melanoma is the form of cancer that is increasing the most, and in Norway, a tenfold increase over the last decades is reported. A mole check with a doctor takes place by asking the doctor a number of questions about the mole(s). How long you've had it, whether it's changed, what changes you've noticed.

The doctor will also ask if anyone in your close family has had mole cancer and if you have been exposed to high sun exposure. The doctor will then examine the mole and look for "danger signs", or factors that may increase the risk of mole cancer. These are asymmetry, irregular demarcation, colour change, diameter greater than 6 mm, and the development of the mole. The examination usually involves the doctor using a dermatoscopy (a magnifying glass with good light and a ruler) to assess the mole. In dermatoscopy, you will be able to see small details in the mole and measure how big it is.

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Mole removing

Mole removal

The vast majority of general practitioners can remove moles, but if you are in doubt about the diagnosis, moles are very large or sitting in an unfavourable place (eg neck, face or scalp), most people tend to refer to a dermatologist.

If you have a common mole, where none of the risk factors as described above are present, it is not necessary to remove the mole. Especially if it is on the chest/stomach of younger individuals, one will be reluctant to remove it, as it can form ugly scars afterwards which can be annoying.

If an indication has been found to remove a mole, this is easily done under local anaesthesia, where the skin around the mole is anaesthetized and the doctor cuts away the mole by removing a small piece of the skin. The doctor will try to remove between 2-5 mm of the skin around the mole, in case there should be mole cancer, one always strives to get all the cells from the mole. The wound is then closed with a thread, where the stitches should sit for 10-14 days. For the first 3-4 days, it is advisable to keep the wound dry and avoid a lot of movement in the skin here.

The doctor will send the mole that was removed to the laboratory for analysis, should it turn out to be cancer cells in it, the further course of it depends on how large it was if the entire mole was removed. The doctor who removed it will contact you to inform you about further treatment.

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The market's most advanced mole check

FotoFinder at Dr.Dropin Skin - The latest in early detection of skin cancer

Dr.Dropin now has the pleasure of offering FotoFinder to all our patients. FotoFinder is one of the market's most advanced equipment for monitoring skin and moles. With the fotoFinder system, we create a digital body map of your moles, so that we can follow the development between each control and detect changes early.

Suspicious moles are examined with a video dermatoscopy. Here, the dermatologist takes enlarged images that clearly show patterns and structures in the mole, and assesses whether they should be removed or monitored further.

Read more about FotoFinder here
Iselin tester FotoFinder

What is mole cancer?

Read more about mole cancer

How Dr. Dropin can help you

At Dr.Dropin, you have the opportunity to book an appointment for the assessment of moles with both general practitioners and dermatologists. Both can evaluate the mole you are concerned about and determine if there is an indication for its removal. If there is an indication for removal, it can often be done in the same consultation if there is enough time.

The general practitioners at Dr.Dropin have extensive experience in removing moles, and they always send the mole for analysis and provide further follow-up when the results are available (usually within 3-4 weeks). If the mole is large, located in a challenging area to remove, or there is uncertainty about whether it should be removed, the general practitioner can refer you to a dermatologist.

You can also easily book an appointment directly with a dermatologist at Dr.Dropin for assessment, removal, and further treatment.

Dermatologist →GP →

Should one check moles regularly?

It is important to be aware of moles, especially when there are many or large moles. Frequent checks are recommended, for example annual checks or when changes are detected. This is especially important if you have:

A significant number of moles, especially over 50, measuring more than 2 mm in diameter.

Several large moles, with a diameter of more than 7 mm, which have an uneven shape and varied colors.

A family history of mole cancer, especially if parents or siblings have been affected.

Prolonged sun exposure without adequate UV protection, especially if you have experienced sunburn.

Being aware of these risk factors and seeking medical help when necessary can contribute to early detection and treatment of potential skin problems.

Is it enough to check the moles yourself or should it be done by a dermatologist?

Self-monitoring of moles is a good practice to detect any changes in time. However, if you notice changes, it is important to seek professional help from a dermatologist or general practitioner for a more thorough assessment.

Which changes / signs should I react to and see a doctor for?

See below for a checklist for when you should see a dermatologist or general practitioner for a consultation.

- You get a new mole

- A mole changes shape and colour, by

- Becomes larger than before, in thickness or in width

- Changes shape and gets uneven edges

- Changes colour, often with brown-black parts

- A mole itches, bleeds or forms a wound that will not heal

Are new moles dangerous?

A new mole is not dangerous in itself. Most new moles appear early in life and up to the age of 25, but they can also appear after this. New moles most often appear on skin areas exposed to the sun. If the new mole has signs such as uneven color and shape, an uneven surface, itches, sores or bleeding, you should have it checked by a dermatologist or general practitioner.

Is there anything I can do to prevent more moles?

Unfortunately, we cannot control whether we get more moles or not, as they are primarily genetic and can also be affected by exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. However, it is important to protect the skin from excessive sun exposure by using sunscreen with a high SPF, avoiding sunburn, and wearing protective clothing and sunglasses when outdoors in bright sunlight. This can help reduce the risk of developing new moles and other skin problems.

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You can easily book an appointment yourself via the website or app of Dr. Dropin, and you do not need a referral in advance.


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At Dr. Dropin, you don't have to wait for several months to get an appointment with a dermatologist. Here, you can quickly get an appointment and it's easy to schedule one.


References

Author: lege Martine Hallin Henriksen

Updated: 01.05.2024