Question 1

why do moles cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

They dont: Moles do not cause cancer. A skin cancer can develop within a mole or present as an abnormal looking mole.

Question 2

do all moles cause cancer eventually?

Accepted Answer

NO: Most moles are benign and will never become cancer.  They medical name for them is a nevus.

Question 3

do all asymetrical moles mean cancer?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily: We usually describe regular or irregular moles and also cancerous ones. Irregular or asymmetric moles usually can be bigger & raise more scrutiny when there are many. Any change in color, size, border, etc should be checked. Some regular moles can become irregular/asymmetric. Irregular moles may confer risk of melanoma elsewhere usually not themselves progressing to melanoma. Thorough derm eval!

Question 4

do all jagged edged moles mean cancer?

Accepted Answer

Get checked: It needs to be examined and if suspicious a biopsy should be done.

Question 5

if i eat a mole, can i get cancer?

Accepted Answer

Mole : Skin cancer is not contagious . I certainly would not view a mole as edible.  One runs the risk of scarring or infection if a mole is aggravated.

Question 6

how can you tell if a mole is cancer?

Accepted Answer

Changing mole: Mole would be suspicious if it changes- in size ( getting bigger), the border( irregular border), symptomatic ( redness, itchy, bleeding etc), color ( multiple colors-more than one). If your mole has any of them- or if you are in doubt  - please dont delay- see your doctor.
http://skincancer.about.com/od/symptoms/ss/mole_2.htm
http://www.Mayoclinic.Com/health/melanoma/ds00575&slide=2.

Question 7

how are moles on your skin related to cancer?

Accepted Answer

Can mutate: A mole can remain normal your whole life or it can mutate and turn into a skin cancer. The carcinogenic effects of long-term uv radiation can cause mutations in the mole to form into a cancer. There is also a hereditary factor that increases the risk of an individual to form skin cancer.

Question 8

how much scratching on a mole to cause cancer?

Accepted Answer

Get it off: You can scratch a mole all you want and it won't turn it into cancer. That's a myth -- it doesn't make sense biologically. But if the mole bothers you, have it taken off. Enough said?

Question 9

can a new mole (located on my back) mean cancer?

Accepted Answer

New mole : One can develop new moles as one ages. If a new mole has abnormal features such as asymmetry, irregular borders, different colors (especially brown/black), diameter bigger than a pencil head eraser, or evolving (itch, bleed, etc.)  have it examined by a dermatologist . Melanoma is most commonly found on men on the back.  This location, however, does not guarantee a mole is or is not cancerous.

Question 10

how quickly does cancer in a mole normally spread?

Accepted Answer

It depends: There is no easy answer for this.  The potential for spread in a melanoma really depends on how deep it is when it is caught and if it is ulcerated (open and bleeding).  The deeper it is the more likely it is to have spread. The rate of spread is variable.  Predictors of a worse outcome include: male gender, >65 years of age, extremities involvement, lymph node involvement and metastases.

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Doctor answers about:

Pre cancer moles

A member asked:

Why do moles cause cancer?

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Do all moles cause cancer eventually?

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Do all asymetrical moles mean cancer?

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Do all jagged edged moles mean cancer?

A member asked:

If i eat a mole, can i get cancer?

A member asked:

How can you tell if a mole is cancer?

A member asked:

How are moles on your skin related to cancer?

A member asked:

How much scratching on a mole to cause cancer?

A member asked:

Can a new mole (located on my back) mean cancer?

A member asked:

How quickly does cancer in a mole normally spread?

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