Most moles are not cancerous. A good guideline for self-evaluating suspicious moles or growths, endorsed by the American Cancer Society, is the “A, B, C, D, E” for skin cancer:
- Asymmetry: Normal moles tend to be symmetrical; skin cancers tend to be asymmetrical.
- Border: Normal moles usually have even borders; skin cancers usually have uneven
- Color: Non-cancerous moles or skin growths are a single, even color; skin cancers can be multi-colored.
- Diameter: Noles, skin tags, and other skin growths that are non-cancerous tend to be less than ¼” in diameter; skin cancers are usually
- Evolving: Normal moles do not grow larger or change shape; skin cancers
If you have found a mole or skin growth that fits one or more of the above parameters, the only way to determine if it’s cancer is through a biopsy. During this procedure, a local anesthetic is applied to the area around the growth. A small section of it is cut out and sent to a lab for analysis. Tru-Skin Dermatology has performed thousands of quick, painless skin biopsies for Austin, TX, residents. If you suspect you may have skin cancer, time is of the essence. Call our clinic for a skin cancer screening today!