Knowledge is power when it comes to checking moles

Most of us are pretty clueless when it comes to checking moles on ourselves and our kids. Often we see something that might look a little dodgy but we’re really not sure what’s normal and what isn’t. It ends up on the ‘must get that checked out one day’ list.

It’s pretty fair to say that many of us take a head in the sand approach when it comes to skin cancer.

In fact a recent study found that 81% of Aussies are worried about at least one mole, but hadn’t had it checked in the last year.

Do you know about the ABCDE method of checking the skin, which is considered best practice by our health professionals?

A is for Asymmetry. If you draw a line down the middle of a mole it should be even on both sides. If it’s not asymmetrical it should be checked by a doctor or skin specialist.

B is for Border Regularity. The edges of the mole should be well defined. If it looks jaggered it needs to be checked.

C is for Colour. If your mole has two or more colours it could be dangerous and should be checked.

D is for Diameter. Anything larger than 5mm should be shown to a doctor.

E is for Evolution. If your mole has changed in size, shape or colour over time it should be shown to a doctor.

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70.

Most skin cancers are caused by skin damage. Caught early the survival rates are very high.

A new Early Detection Skin Cancer home checking tool is now available. It helps people to check their skin for signs of cancer using the ABCDE method. Check it out here.

Have you had your skin checked lately? Is it a regular checkup, please share below.

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49 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 19 May 2022
    11:29 am
I really need to book a skin check as I have never had one. I was booked in for one 4 years ago and then my life got turned upside down and I had to cancel.

- - mom93821 said
  - 17 Jan 2016
    7:23 pm
It is so important to be constantly vigilant when it comes to moles.

- - mom81879 said
  - 14 Nov 2015
    9:08 am
I don’t really have any moles to check, just a few freckles. Hubby has heaps of big dark moles though as well as a history of cancer in the family. So this will be a great help when checking his

- - dannsbuild said
  - 15 Sep 2015
    8:18 pm
Good to know! That’s interesting! Thanks for sharing this!

- - mom70796 said
  - 24 Aug 2015
    10:57 pm
I just had 3 spots removed, one pre cancerous. Very important to be checked.

- - deb_gs said
  - 25 Jul 2015
    10:35 pm
I never knew about the ABCs of checking moles, especially A. Useful to know.

- - mom67623 said
  - 02 Jul 2015
    7:18 am
came to Australia long ago with English skin my husband and his surf club friends, said sunbaking was all the go. Covered in coconut or baby oil, got badly burned, but thought it was way to go.. Over years skin cancers have had removed,stay well covered as is now encourage and approved. Still now and then like the tan look and glow but now it comes from a tube, not in sun cook off row.. picture of how it used to be, still encourages some unwisely

- - crystalangela said
  - 30 Jun 2015
    4:59 pm
I had mine checked a while ago but it is probably time again.

- - mom66977 said
  - 26 Jun 2015
    3:51 pm
thanks heaps for sharing this x

- - mom70050 said
  - 25 Jun 2015
    11:34 am
Another great little read, thanks for sharing.

- - Meghannn said
  - 18 Jun 2015
    9:43 am
Soooo important. I always keep on top of checking these, and getting hubby involved if i can’t see the changes for myself.

- - ella12 said
  - 10 Jun 2015
    11:31 am
The ABCDE method is a great one to go by.

- - rovermum said
  - 10 Jun 2015
    10:19 am
This is a timely reminder. My sister has just had a second melanoma and it reminded me that when I have my annual GP check up in July/August, I need to have any spots checked. I do look over them regularly and speak to the Dr if I think something doesn’t look right. It’s something I definitely need to keep on top of.

- - micky said
  - 06 Jun 2015
    10:10 pm
Very helpful concise information – thank you.

- - suzette28 said
  - 05 Jun 2015
    8:33 am
Thank you for the ABCDE info. I will surely be on the lookout now I know what to look for.

- - mom101628 said
  - 04 Jun 2015
    10:13 pm
I will certainly keep the ADCDE codes in mind for future reference. Thanks for this advice.

- - mom78526 said
  - 04 Jun 2015
    9:01 pm
It’s quite a scary thing!! My then 6yr old had a tan mole on her neck all of a sudden we noticed a black dot appear in the middle of it. About 6 weeks later we noticed the black dot to be taller and sitting proud of the tan mole. Another 6 weeks on and the black mole started to spread out… We had it removed and it all turned out to be ok. But it was not symmetrical and the border was roughly shaped… You just never know it’s best to get them checked out.

- - Carmjoiner said
  - 04 Jun 2015
    7:12 pm
I’m only 36 and have had two moles removed. They were both one step below turning into melanoma.

- - neddie said
  - 04 Jun 2015
    2:30 pm
Skin cancer is important here in australia to watch for.

- - not_amanda said
  - 04 Jun 2015
    2:25 pm
I didn’t know that mnemonic – it’s a good way to remember all the things to check for when looking at your moles. Thanks for the comments about keeping an eye on other things like flaky skin – I didn’t know that BCC presented like that.