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Ask a Doc: Are Hairy Moles Cancerous? A dermatologist explains when you should—and shouldn’t—worry BY APPLE A. BODEMER, M.D. (/AUTHOR/APPLE-A-BODEMER-MD) AUGUST 10, 2016
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As unappealing as your hairy mole may seem to you, it can actually be pretty reassuring in terms of your skin cancer risk. That’s because moles with hair growing of them generally aren’t cancerous. In fact, I have never personally seen a mole with hair that was abnormal. Related: The Better Man Project From Men’s Health—2,000+ Awesome Tips on How to Live Your Healthiest Life (https://offers.rodale.com/offer/600024? cid=BWO_Twitter_betterman&keycode=255393) Think of it this way: Cancer doesn’t grow normal structures, and hair growth is a normal process. So if a mole were located above a healthy hair follicle, the hair would grow through the mole. But if the area is damaged—say, because of a developing skin cancer (http://www.menshealth.com/health/skin-cancer-facts-that-are-actually-wrong)—that could harm the hair follicle, so a hair wouldn’t be able to grow. Still, it’s not foolproof. Melanoma—the most worrisome and potentially deadliest type of skin cancer—can develop from an already existing mole that undergoes cancerous changes. So your healthy mole with hair sticking out of it can become cancerous. In that case, the hair would actually stop growing. Related: The 6 Steps Every Man Should Follow When Applying Sunscreen (http://www.menshealth.com/health/sunscreen-misinformation) Still, while this is possible, it’s not something you should worry too much about. The types of moles that tend to grow hair are very unlikely to transform into melanoma. But if there’s any mole or mark on your skin you’re concerned about, you should bring it to your doctor’s attention. With melanoma, early detection is key—melanoma caught at later stages can be deadly. So familiarizing yourself with attributes that make a suspicious mole (http://www.menshealth.com/health/melanoma-and-moles) can be a lifesaver. These include: 1. Asymmetry: If you were to draw a line through the mole, both halves should approximately match up. 2. Irregular border: In general, the border should be smooth and not ragged. Lobules (or protrusions) from a mole should arouse concern. 3. Color variations: A mole with several colors can be worrisome—especially when you start to see very dark brown, blue, or black mixed with pink or red. 4. Large size: In general, normal moles are less than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser. Moles larger than that can be concerning. 5. Changing features: This is actually the most important feature to watch for in my book. While some melanomas look concerning from the very beginning, many start off looking normal, but evolve to have more concerning features— say, some of the above—over time. 6. Moles that look different: People make different types of moles—some bigger, some smaller, some light tan and some really dark. In general your moles should all look pretty similar to each other. A mole that stands out as very different should be monitored more closely. The most powerful tool you have for catching skin cancer early is to do regular skin self-checks. I generally recommend spending 5 minutes once a month just looking at your skin. Related: Your Risk Of Melanoma Skyrockets If This Body Part Gets Sunburned (http://www.menshealth.com/health/dangerous-sunburn-locations) This will help you get comfortable with the kinds of moles you have and allow you to identify something that is new or changing.
Apple A. Bodemer, M.D., is an integrative dermatologist at UW Health and an assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
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