Benefits of proactive mole removal?

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    • April 29, 2014 at 4:09 pm
    scroggins
    Participant
      Hello again, and thank you to those of you who kindly answered my questions about a biopsy some weeks ago.
       
      I just had a couple of suspicious moles removed – thankfully each came back negative.  However, I am considered to be high risk for melanoma (fair complexion, 50+ moles, a few atypical, history of blistering childhood sunburns…), so obviously I intend to coninue monitoring my skin.  The problem is, with so many potentially abnormal moles, it can be a challenge to keep track of changes, particularly for moles in hard-to-see places.
       
      So I was wondering, is there any benefit to proactive mole removal?  Not every mole of course, but for the half dozen or so that fit the profile for potential melanoma.  Would removing them (either through shaving or freezing), without biopsy, eliminate them as future risks?
       
      Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts, and I wish all the best for you all!
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    • Replies
        • April 29, 2014 at 5:22 pm
        JC
        Participant

          Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma.  Taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for change is the best way.   

          • April 29, 2014 at 5:22 pm
          JC
          Participant

            Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma.  Taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for change is the best way.   

            • April 29, 2014 at 5:22 pm
            JC
            Participant

              Since half of melanomas appear in new moles, wholesale removal of existing moles is not a good way to prevent melanoma.  Taking photos of your existing moles and then watching them for change is the best way.   

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