Mole Checks

The medical term for a mole is a melanocytic naevus. Most moles are benign “harmless”. The word ‘melanocytic’ means that they are made up of the cells (melanocytes) which produce the dark pigment (melanin) that gives the skin its colour. Most moles develop during childhood and early adult life. Almost everyone has moles: many people have between 30 and 50. If there is any concern about a mole, particularly over the possibility of a melanoma (see skin cancer), the mole is removed and checked in the laboratory.