how do you tell the difference between a mole and melanoma (skin caner)?

melanoma



I’ve been swimming for about 4 months now (swim team).. outdoors. but i wear sunblock most of the time. i’m asian, and rarely burn. (only tan, and get darker and darker..) i now have tiny black spots on my arm -7 on my right arm, and 5 on my left.. i’m “pretty sure” most wern’t there before (two of the black dots were always there). do i have melanoma or just more moles?

3 Comments so far

  1. ani on June 17th, 2009

    you need to see a doc. i had what looked like a mole, but it turned out to be skin cancer …. way back in high school.

  2. dymond on June 18th, 2009

    Moles don’t usually just appear over night however you said you’ve been in the sun and that could cause them to be more noticeable.Melanoma is usually slightly red and sometimes tender.It also grows quickly-within a month it could almost double it’s size,whereas a mole generally stays the same.If you are really concerned by all means get checked by a doctor

  3. sparkylump on June 18th, 2009

    Little early to be thinking about melanoma! Give them about one month and if no change in size or color, don’t worry about it! If noticeable change in size or color, then go see doctor! But it sounds a little early to be worrying about cancer!

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