Medical expert of the article
New publications
Where can I get my moles checked?
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Moles are congenital marks on the skin that can change throughout life. Let's consider where to check moles and how to identify symptoms of their pathological degeneration.
Birthmarks are areas of skin with special pigmentation. If there are many of them on the body, this can cause discomfort and raise a number of concerns. Skin protrusions and brown spots can develop into melanomas and other pathologies that require timely diagnosis and treatment. Sometimes it is enough to overdo it with tanning, both solar and artificial, in order to get serious problems. Ultraviolet rays aggressively affect cells and create favorable conditions for the development of oncology. Birthmarks in the groin area and under the breast in women deserve special attention.
The main types of birthmarks:
- Congenital – appear at birth or in the first months of life. They are rare and very often degenerate into melanomas.
- Acquired – their number depends on genetic factors, sun exposure and skin type. The more such pigment spots, the higher the risk of cancer.
- Atypical - have uneven contours, large size and several shades that differ greatly from healthy skin. Their presence may foreshadow malignant degeneration.
It is recommended to check pigment growths for various pathologies once a year. Moles can be checked by a dermatologist at a local clinic or a specialized medical center. The doctor will examine the birthmarks and determine their condition. If necessary, he will recommend removal or prescribe additional diagnostics.
Which doctor can I see to check my moles?
If there are many pigment spots of different sizes and shapes on the skin, then this raises concerns. Which doctor can check moles? This is the question that arises for people with such features of the skin. First of all, you need to see a dermatologist. The doctor conducts a visual examination and, if necessary, gives a referral to a dispensary or oncology center to clarify the diagnosis.
You can immediately contact a dermatologist-oncologist who deals with cancerous skin diseases. Using a dermatoxop, the doctor will examine suspicious nevi, make a scraping and check the cells for malignancy. If there are malignant moles, they are removed; surgery is indicated if malignant degeneration is suspected. The procedure must be carried out in a specialized medical institution, and not in a beauty salon, which also offers mole removal.
Dangerous nevi are removed using radiation or surgical methods. Laser operations are not recommended, as they are characterized by frequent relapses of neoplasms. It is strictly contraindicated to independently remove moles using traditional medicine methods, as this will only speed up the process of degeneration and can cause skin cancer.
Where can I check a mole for cancer?
At the slightest suspicion of malignant degeneration of a nevus, it is necessary to seek medical help. Elementary attentiveness will allow to detect pathology in time and begin its treatment. Where to check a mole for oncology, this is a relevant question when examining atypical skin pigmentation.
The examination is carried out using dermatoscopy. Using a special instrument that resembles a magnifying glass with high magnification, the doctor examines suspicious areas of the skin. The examination takes place in the office of a dermatologist-oncologist. If necessary, in addition to a visual examination, the doctor prescribes additional tests.
There is a method by which you can independently recognize the degeneration of a nevus. There are five signs, conventionally called ABCDE or AKORD, let's consider them:
- Asymmetry – carefully examine the mole, take a photo if necessary. Determine its center and draw a line, if both sides of the pigmented neoplasm are symmetrical, then everything is fine. If there are protrusions and uneven growths, then a medical diagnosis is necessary.
- Contour – a healthy nevus has a smooth contour with rounded edges. If it has an uneven perimeter or uneven coloring, this indicates a pathology.
- Color - a normal pigment spot has a uniform color of brown or dark brown. If there are sharp color transitions from light to dark, then you should consult a doctor.
- Size – pay attention to all birthmarks that are on the body. If their diameter is more than 0.6 cm or there are areas with a large number of small moles, then there is a high probability of their degeneration.
- Dynamics – this sign implies changes in color, size, texture, the appearance of blood or hairs. If the pigmented neoplasm has been unchanged for a long time, but its size or other signs suddenly change, then this is a reason to consult a dermatologist.