Can a Sun Mole Become a Melanoma? Six Things to Know Before, During, and After Exposure

With the arrival of summer, people undress and moles and other skin lesions emerge on their skin that often go unnoticed during the year. But how should we behave when faced with a “different” mole? Is it always necessary to run to the specialist? And what do we really need to know to protect our skin? We talked about it with Professor Marco Ardigò , Professor of Dermatology at Humanitas University, Head of Oncological Dermatology at the Rozzano Clinical Institute and Coordinator of the CTS Intergruppo Parlamentare Skin Diseases and Skin Health.

1. ABCDE: The Alphabet That Can Save Your Skin

Many people discover new moles at this time of year and before leaving for vacation, especially if the destination includes sun exposure, to reassure themselves they want to undergo a medical check-up to see if there are any suspicious moles. But before even asking for a medical visit, it is also important to observe your skin carefully. Moles, although often harmless, can sometimes hide signs that should not be underestimated. To recognize suspicious ones, there is a practical and easy to remember rule: the ABCDE rule.

Each letter corresponds to a warning bell to keep an eye on: Asymmetry, Irregular edges, Non-uniform color, Dimensions greater than 6 millimeters and Evolution over time . A mole that changes appearance, itches, bleeds, hurts or does not heal is a signal not to be ignored: contacting a dermatologist can make the difference.

2. The first check-up can be done by your GP

Who should you contact for an initial check-up? “It is not always necessary to immediately contact a dermatologist,” replies Ardigò. “Going to your general practitioner is of primary importance because he or she can perform an initial screening, identify patients at risk and send them to a specialist only if necessary. In this way, overcrowding in clinics is avoided and specialist visits are reserved for those who really need them.” What worries specialists is the fact that with the increase in requests for specialist dermatological visits and due to the progressive contraction of healthcare resources, there is a progressive delay in taking charge of patients with suspected skin cancer, with the consequent loss of effectiveness of treatments and the need to resort to more complex and demanding therapies for both patients and the healthcare system. “But it is important to reiterate,” Ardigò emphasizes, “that checking moles should be a routine practice and not just a worry that comes around the holidays.”

3. Moles do not turn into melanoma

Exposure to the sun's rays is the main cause of the onset of skin cancers, which are significantly increasing in Italy: the incidence of melanoma is growing at a rate of 5 percent more cases each year, with 14,900 new cases diagnosed in 2020 and over 17,000 expected for this year, while basal cell carcinoma - the most common skin cancer - affects 1 in 1,000 people and squamous cell carcinoma accounts for 22/23 cases per 100,000 people. One of the most widespread beliefs is that "a mole can become melanoma". But this is not the case.

“Melanoma,” Ardigò explains, “is not the transformation of a mole, but is a lesion that appears in most cases on healthy skin. It can also arise from a pre-existing mole, but it is less frequent. For this reason, it is important to know what to look for and not focus only on moles.” Prevention is also essential because melanoma in 80% of cases – if diagnosed and managed properly – resolves with simple surgical removal.

4. When exposed to the sun, protect all skin

During sun exposure, what risks do moles run and how can we protect them effectively? Do we need specific sun protection? “It is not necessary to protect moles individually,” Ardigò emphasizes, “but the entire skin surface in a homogeneous and repeated manner over time. This is what reduces the risk associated with ultraviolet rays. There are no specific sun protections for moles: we need a broad-spectrum, high protection (SPF 50+), to be applied every two hours and after swimming.”

In general, therefore, it is necessary to avoid wrong behaviors that do not only concern excessive exposure to the sun, but also the inappropriate use of inadequate or low-quality sunscreens, the failure to use protective clothing by subjects at risk, the use of UV lamps for artificial tanning. All behaviors that must also be evaluated in relation to the level of risk of the individual, while keeping a high level of awareness of the danger.

5. Those with light skin or many moles need to be more careful

There are categories of people considered at higher risk. “Those with very light skin, light eyes and hair, and few moles have a higher risk of developing melanoma,” Ardigò points out. But even those with many moles must be monitored carefully: in these cases, the greatest risk is that a new lesion goes unnoticed. Genetics plays an important role, but surveillance remains essential.”

6. After the holidays, observe the changes

Attention must be high even after the summer. Exposing yourself to the sun does not change a mole to the point of transforming it into a melanoma, but it can reveal suspicious lesions. “It is important to know that exposure to UV rays can favor the onset of new melanomas,” explains Ardigò. “It is not an evolution of a mole, but of a lesion that is born and grows from scratch. After the summer, therefore, it is useful to do a general assessment of the skin.”