Most moles are harmless. They can be flat or raised, light or dark, and may stay with you for years without causing any problems. However, a mole that starts to change deserves attention. Skin cancer is a major health concern in Australia. Knowing what to look for during a skin check makes the real difference.
UV exposure is a major risk factor for skin cancer. Regular self-checks are useful. But it should not replace a professional check-up at a reputed skin cancer clinic. Cancer Council Australia recommends looking out for new spots and changes in existing moles, including changes in size, shape, and colour.
So, what changes should you never ignore?
10 Changes in a Mole That Deserve a Closer Look
1. Your mole is getting bigger
A mole that suddenly starts getting bigger should not be dismissed as “just another mole”. Growth is one of the signs that tell a lesion needs closer examination. However, size alone does not tell you whether a mole is dangerous. Some melanomas can be smaller than 6 mm, when first detected. What matters is whether the spot is evolving.
2. The shape has changed
Take a look at whether both halves of the mole still look similar. If one side starts looking noticeably different from the other, the mole may be asymmetrical. A change in shape can be a warning sign. This is one of the reasons the ABCDE method is useful, when checking your skin.
3. The border looks different
Healthy-looking moles often have a fairly clear, even border. However, take notice if a previously smooth-edged mole develops notches, scallops, blurred edges, or pigment extending beyond its usual border. Do not rely on a mirror or phone photo to decide whether a mole is safe. A doctor can examine suspicious spots more closely using a dermatoscope.
4. The colour starts changing
A mole does not need to be black to be concerning. Watch for a mole that develops several different colours or becomes noticeably darker or lighter. Black, brown, red, blue, grey, or white areas within the same lesion demand investigation. However, a sudden change in colour is particularly important when it occurs alongside other changes.
5. It becomes raised or develops a lump
A mole that was previously flat but starts becoming raised or develops a lump should be assessed. Some melanomas can develop as raised lesions and may grow quickly. Changes in elevation can be difficult to judge by looking at yourself, especially in areas such as your back or scalp. This is one reason a professional examination can be useful.
6. It starts itching, hurting, or feeling tender
Moles are not usually painful. If a mole suddenly becomes itchy, painful, or tender without an obvious reason, make a note of the change. These symptoms can have many harmless causes, but a persistent change is a good reason to arrange a professional assessment.
7. It starts bleeding or crusting
A mole or skin lesion that bleeds without being scratched or injured should not be dismissed. Similarly, persistent crusting, ulceration, or a rough, scaly surface can require further investigation. Mole Check Clinic advises that spontaneous bleeding and persistent non-healing ulceration are among the signs that warrant assessment.
8. The surface becomes rough or scaly
A mole or skin spot that suddenly becomes rough, scaly, crusted, or ulcerated deserves attention, particularly if the change persists. Not every rough patch is skin cancer. Sun damage, irritation and other common skin conditions can cause similar symptoms. That is why professional assessment is more useful than trying to diagnose the spot yourself.
The ABCDE Rule Can Help You Notice Changes
When checking your skin at home, the ABCDE approach is a useful starting point:
| Letter | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| A – Asymmetry | One half looks different from the other |
| B – Border | Edges become irregular, notched, or uneven |
| C – Colour | Several colours or a noticeable colour change |
| D – Diameter | The spot is growing, particularly beyond 6 mm |
| E – Evolving | Any change in size, shape, colour, elevation, or symptoms |
The most important point is E – Evolution. A mole that changes over time deserves attention, even if it does not tick every other box. However, ABCDE is a guide for checking your skin at home. But it is not a diagnosis. Some melanomas may not follow the classic ABCDE pattern. So a mole that concerns you should still be professionally assessed.
Mole Mapping vs a Regular Skin Check: What’s the Difference?
These two services are related. However, these two services work differently. In some cases, they can complement each other. At Mole Check, full-body mole mapping can be performed alongside a comprehensive skin cancer check. The clinic uses digital photography to create a record that can be compared with images from future visits.
| Mole Mapping | Regular Skin Check |
|---|---|
| Creates a photographic record of your skin and moles | A doctor examines your skin for suspicious lesions |
| Helps monitor spots and identify new or changing lesions over time | Helps assess the current appearance of moles and other skin lesions |
| Images can be compared during future appointments | Suspicious areas can be examined more closely with a dermatoscope |
| Particularly useful for monitoring multiple moles or changes over time | Useful when you have a new, changing, or concerning spot |
| Does not diagnose skin cancer by itself | May lead to further testing, such as biopsy, when clinically required. |
Get Your Skin Checked by Mole Check Clinic
You cannot reliably determine whether a mole is harmless simply by looking at it at home. A professional skin check involves a doctor examining your skin under a dermatoscope to examine suspicious lesions more closely. The assessment gives you a clearer answer and, when needed, a pathway for further investigation.
Mole Check Clinic is a dedicated skin cancer clinic in Melbourne, with experienced doctors providing skin cancer checks, mole mapping, diagnosis, and treatment. The clinic uses dermatoscopy and advanced imaging to support detailed skin assessments. Getting to know your own skin, checking it regularly and acting when something changes can help you seek professional advice sooner.
Book a skin check with Mole Check Clinic and give your skin the attention it deserves.