Let’s Talk Skin Cancer: Why Checking Your Moles Could Save Your Life

Skin cancer isn’t just something that happens to “other people” or only to those who sunbathed in the '90s without SPF. The truth is, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, and rates have been rising steadily for the past few decades. But here’s the thing, it’s also one of the most preventable and treatable, especially when caught early.

As someone who sees patients daily and works closely with skin health, I can’t stress enough how important it is to check your moles and know your skin. Whether you’re 29 or 79, skin cancer doesn’t discriminate and no, having darker skin doesn’t make you immune.

In clinic, I’ve seen firsthand how catching something “small” can turn out to be life-saving.

One of my lovely patients, a 29-year-old woman, came in for a consultation regarding aesthetic treatments but during this consultation, we discussed skin health, which then lead to her telling me about a mole she was worried about. She had a gut feeling something wasn’t quite right.

We assessed it, took action, and it turned out she needed further treatment. She’s now doing fine post-removal of confirmed skin cancer, but it could’ve gone very differently if she’d waited another year.

What Should You Be Looking For?

Use the ABCDE rule when checking your moles:

• Asymmetry – One half doesn’t match the other

• Border – Edges are irregular or blurred

• Colour – Multiple shades or uneven colour

• Diameter – Larger than 6mm (but they can be smaller too)

• Evolving – Changes in shape, size, colour, or sensation

  
  

Even if a mole doesn’t tick all the boxes, it’s still worth getting checked if it just feels off. You know your body best.

In clinic, we use a service called Map My Mole.

A dermatology-led mole mapping tool that allows us to take high-quality images of suspicious moles and send them directly to expert dermatologists for review. It’s a brilliant service that bridges the gap between concern and diagnosis, giving patients peace of mind or fast-tracking them for treatment if needed.

We use Map My Mole because it’s accurate, efficient, and most importantly, it helps us catch potential skin cancers early.

The most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma, can spread to other parts of the body if not caught early. According to Cancer Research UK (2024), over 90% of people diagnosed at stage 1 will survive for 5+ years, but this drops significantly at later stages. Early diagnosis truly does save lives.

And for those wondering, yes, sunbeds count too. UV exposure (natural or artificial) is one of the main causes of skin cancers, especially if you’ve had sunburns in the past. It all adds up over time.

If you’ve been putting off that mole check, consider this your nudge. Whether it's for peace of mind or something that needs action, it’s always better to be safe.

In clinic, skin health is at the heart of what we do, not just for aesthetic reasons, but because healthy skin is happy skin, and potentially life-saving skin.

Your skin tells a story. Don’t ignore the chapters that could change the ending.

If you're concerned about a mole or lesion, contact the clinic today and Nurse Ellie or Nurse Kate will be happy to have look and scan you using our map my mole service. 

All the best, 

Nurse Ellie