The UK has one of the highest rates of melanoma in Europe, and incidence has been rising for three decades. Melanoma is now the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Crucially, when detected early (Stage 1), 5-year survival is over 98%. When detected at Stage 4, it falls to around 20%.
Yet many people reaching their 40s and 50s — the age at which risk begins to increase significantly — have never had a full-body skin examination.
Why Risk Increases After 40
Skin cancers are largely the result of cumulative UV damage over a lifetime. This damage accumulates silently for years — the sunburns of your 20s and 30s, the decades of unprotected sun exposure — and manifests as skin cancer in midlife and beyond. Specific risk factors include:
- More than 50 moles (high mole count)
- Fair skin, light eyes, or red hair
- History of blistering sunburns, particularly in childhood
- Personal or family history of melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancer
- History of significant cumulative sun exposure (outdoor workers, frequent holiday sun exposure)
- Previous use of sunbeds
- Immunosuppression (after organ transplant, or on immunosuppressive therapy)
The ABCDE Signs of Melanoma
The ABCDE criteria are the most widely used clinical guide to identifying suspicious moles:
A — Asymmetry
One half of the mole doesn't match the other. Normal benign moles are symmetrical.
B — Border
Ragged, notched, or blurred edges. Normal moles have smooth, well-defined borders.
C — Colour variation
Multiple shades — brown, black, red, white, or blue within the same mole. Normal moles are uniformly one colour.
D — Diameter
Greater than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser). Early melanomas can be smaller, so this is a guide not a rule.
E — Evolution
Any change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms (bleeding, itching, crusting). The most important sign — a changing mole should always be assessed.
Non-melanoma skin cancers — particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — are more common than melanoma and also benefit from early detection. BCCs typically appear as pearly or waxy lesions with visible blood vessels; SCCs as rough, scaly patches or firm red nodules.
What Does a Mole Check Involve?
At Lambert Medical Practice, a skin cancer screening appointment with Dr Nancy Abdelrahman involves:
- Medical history: Sun exposure history, family history, previous skin cancers, current medications
- Full-body skin examination: A systematic head-to-toe examination of all skin surfaces, including areas not easily visible in a mirror (back, scalp, soles of feet)
- Dermoscopy: Any moles requiring closer assessment are examined with a dermoscope — a handheld device with polarised light that enables visualisation of subsurface structure. Dermoscopy has been shown to improve diagnostic accuracy by approximately 49% compared to naked-eye examination alone
- Documentation and advice: Suspicious lesions are documented. You will be advised on monitoring frequency and self-examination technique
- Referral if needed: If a lesion is suspicious for melanoma, Dr Abdelrahman will arrange an urgent two-week-wait referral to dermatology for biopsy. For lesions requiring removal (cryotherapy, shave excision), this can often be arranged at Lambert
How often should I have a mole check? For most people, an annual full-body check is appropriate. If you have a high mole count, previous history of melanoma, or significant UV exposure, more frequent monitoring may be advised.
Book a Private Mole Check in Surbiton
Dr Nancy Abdelrahman · Full-body dermoscopy assessment · Same-week appointments · No referral needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter greater than 6mm, and Evolution (any change). Any mole that changes should be assessed promptly.
Anyone over 40 with a history of sun exposure, more than 50 moles, a personal or family history of melanoma, fair skin, or a changing mole. You don't need a suspicious mole to benefit from a screening check.
A full-body skin examination with dermoscopy (magnified polarised light assessment) of any concerning moles, documentation of findings, and referral if needed.
A handheld device with polarised light that allows assessment of subsurface skin structures, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy compared to naked-eye examination.
Book directly at Lambert Medical Practice — no referral needed. Book online, call 0208 133 5694, or WhatsApp 07882 677844.