Number of Moles on Right Arm Might Predict Risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer
Number of Moles on Right Arm Might Predict Risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer
Number of Moles on Right Arm Might Predict Risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer
The right arm was the best predictor. Women with more than seven moles on their right arm had a higher risk of having more than 50 total. Those with more than 11 on their right arm were more likely to have 100 total moles, meaning a higher risk of melanoma.
Ribero's team then duplicated those findings in a group of 415 healthy men and women.
The right arm finding is probably more about most people being right-handed and using that arm and hand for many tasks, resulting in more sun exposure, Gastman says.
Other things play a role in melanoma risk, too, including family history.
Melanoma develops from existing moles only 20% to 40% of the time.
But if you have over 50 moles on your body, you should be monitored closely by your doctor, Gastman says. And you should keep an eye on your skin yourself, performing monthly skin exams. "One of the cheapest things to do is buy a full-length mirror and have a spouse or friend keep an eye on your moles, asking if anything changed," he says.
This advice includes people who have already had melanoma. "Studies show that two-thirds to three-fourths of recurrent melanomas are found by patients or the physician by physical exam alone," Gastman says.
Moles & Melanoma: FAQ
Number of Moles on Right Arm Might Predict Risk of Melanoma Skin Cancer
The study zeroed in on the right arm. Why? continued...
The right arm was the best predictor. Women with more than seven moles on their right arm had a higher risk of having more than 50 total. Those with more than 11 on their right arm were more likely to have 100 total moles, meaning a higher risk of melanoma.
Ribero's team then duplicated those findings in a group of 415 healthy men and women.
The right arm finding is probably more about most people being right-handed and using that arm and hand for many tasks, resulting in more sun exposure, Gastman says.
Other things play a role in melanoma risk, too, including family history.
What should people who have a large number of moles do?
Melanoma develops from existing moles only 20% to 40% of the time.
But if you have over 50 moles on your body, you should be monitored closely by your doctor, Gastman says. And you should keep an eye on your skin yourself, performing monthly skin exams. "One of the cheapest things to do is buy a full-length mirror and have a spouse or friend keep an eye on your moles, asking if anything changed," he says.
This advice includes people who have already had melanoma. "Studies show that two-thirds to three-fourths of recurrent melanomas are found by patients or the physician by physical exam alone," Gastman says.
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