Around 2200 people are diagnosed with melanoma every year in New Zealand, giving us the highest incidence rate in the world. Read on to find out who is at risk and what to do.
As a redhead, I know to take care in the sun and check my moles regularly, and I also check whether I have developed new ones. If you have concerns about moles, you need to get them addressed. Melanoma is one of the country’s most common cancers, but if diagnosed early, treatment is usually successful.
Warning signs
A mole may look harmless, but it could be melanoma. Look for these danger signs:
• The mole is lopsided.
• Border irregularity – its edges are uneven.
• Colour variation – patchy.
• Diameter – it’s more than 6mm across.
• Evolution – it’s changed shape or got bigger.
Who’s at risk?
• People aged over 50.
• Previous skin cancer sufferers.
• Parent or sibling has had melanoma.
• More than 50 normal moles, or more than 5 unusual moles.
• Fair skin.
• A history of sunburn.
Having any of these means you should check your skin, or have it examined by your GP or dermatologist, regularly.
Getting it checked
If you have any concerns, see your GP or a dermatologist (they will also check for non-melanoma skin cancers and pre-cancerous spots).
Mole mapping
There is debate surrounding mole mapping and its usefulness, but it can be of great benefit to high-risk people. Specialised clinics offer programmes such as MoleMap, MoleCheck, MoleSpec, MoleTrac and MoleMate. Your dermatologist might also use a mapping programme. A variety of tools are employed, but you can get total body photography, which tracks individual moles. The success of the latter depends on a technician’s ability to select the right moles to photograph. But mapping is just a tool.
It’s important the images are analysed by a professional – preferably a dermatologist. Your doctor may use an automated diagnosis to help decide whether a mole needs to be removed. You can go
to specialists without referral from a doctor, but here are some questions to ask:
• What services are offered? Will I be seen by a dermatologist and will the clinic check for other skin cancers?
• Who provides the service? What experience do the technicians have in taking the images? How are the images analysed – by a dermatologist, or through a computer programme, or both?
• How much will it cost? Is there a charge for storing images, or for copies to help with your own checks? What’s the fee for follow-up visits?
• What happens next? If a mole looks suspicious, will a biopsy be taken or will you be referred to your GP (and incur more costs)? Will the biopsy be sent to a lab? Does your GP get a record?
Sue Chetwin CEO Consumer NZ
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