Angelina Jolie skin mole
Most people have skin moles on their body, and they often appear more frequently as we age. While most moles are benign (not cancerous), some may develop into a dangerous form of skin cancer called melanoma. Here’s what to look for in determining whether or not that skin mole could be cancerous…

Moles often change slightly in color and size as we age, so don’t be alarmed if you notice this happening. That being said, extreme changes in the appearance of the mole may be a warning sign that it could be cancerous.

Moles that appear from birth, as well as large moles about the size of a pencil eraser, may have a higher risk of eventually developing into melanoma or other forms of skin cancer. In these cases, you should immediately consult a dermatologist and get tested.

WebMD put together a great checklist of characteristics used to determine whether a mole is at a higher risk of becoming a dangerous form of skin cancer or if it’s simply benign. They call these characteristics the ABCDE checklist:

  • Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other half.
  • Border: The border or edges of the mole are ragged, blurred, or irregular.
  • Color: The color of the mole is not the same throughout or has shades of tan, brown, black, blue, white, or red.
  • Diameter: The diameter of a mole is larger than the eraser of a pencil.
  • Elevation: A portion of the mole appears elevated, or raised from the skin.

So make sure to do your ABCDEs and get checked out by a dermatologist if you notice any of the above characteristics. Melanoma is the most common form of cancer in women aged 25 to 29, so unlike other cancers that typically show up in “older” folks, melanoma doesn’t discriminate between the young and the old.