Katherine Ryan has opened up about her second skin cancer diagnosis – and a doctor has shared a method to ensure you can check whether your moles need looking at
A medical professional has shared a useful “screening tool” for assessing the irregularity of your mole, which can be initially done at home.
Comedian Katherine Ryan recently revealed her second skin cancer diagnosis, highlighting that she had to insist on further investigation when her mole, initially dismissed as harmless, kept changing.
On her Telling Everybody Everything podcast, she detailed how she refused to accept that her mole was benign despite reassurances from her doctor. Her instincts proved accurate when it was diagnosed as melanoma.
Fortunately, she was informed that it was “caught very early”, reducing the likelihood of it having spread. However, Katherine emphasised: “It just feels crazy to me what could have happened if I hadn’t been my own advocate – and I will continue to be my own advocate.”
Dr Joe has offered a technique to help you “spot skin cancer” – the “ABCDE rule for detecting melanoma”. He began by displaying an image of a regular mole.
Next, he presented a “very stereotypical melanoma” for comparison and explained the ABCDEs that might make a mole suspicious. “Not all melanomas will be this obvious, but this exhibits the features that we usually look for,” Dr Joe stated.
A – Asymmetry
According to Dr Joe, you “should be able to draw a line down the middle of the mole and get two roughly mirror image halves”. He pointed out that “this wouldn’t be possible” with the melanoma shown, making it a cause for concern.
B – Borders
Dr Joe has offered some vital tips for checking moles, advising to be wary of any with “rough, irregular borders” rather than a “smooth line that circles the mole,” as this could indicate a need for professional evaluation.
C – Colour
He pointed out that “most normal moles are all pretty much the same colour,” but highlighted that in the image of the melanoma, there’s a “high variance in colour within the mole”. Dr Joe warned: “Also, black or blue moles are very suspicious”.
D – Diameter
Regarding size, Dr Joe advised that “the diameter of a mole, or the distance from one side to the other, should be no more than six millimetres for most moles”.
He suggested a simple method for estimation: “So, you can estimate this by taking the head of an eraser on a pencil and sticking it on top of the mole. If it’s bigger than the eraser, usually it’s more than six millimetres.”
E – Evolving
On the topic of changes over time, Dr Joe said: “Moles should really not change too much over time, so if your mole is changing colours or changing size, or becomes itchy, bleeding, or you develop a new mole out of nowhere, that’s suspicious”.
While Dr Joe did mention that “a lot of moles can exhibit these features and not be melanoma,” he emphasised that it’s a “good screening tool” to identify any concerning signs that should be examined by a doctor or dermatologist.
According to the NHS, the appearance of a new mole or changes to an existing mole can be indicators of melanoma. Melanomas can occur anywhere on the body but are commonly found on areas frequently exposed to the sun.
Some less common types can impact the eyes, soles of the feet, palms of the hands or genitals. It’s crucial to monitor your skin for any unusual changes.
Utilise a mirror or enlist the help of a partner or friend to inspect areas you can’t see. If you have concerns about a mole, it’s advisable to consult with your GP.