A large number of moles on the body is not usually a sign of danger to health. Yet many scientific researches claim that a large number of moles on the right arm indicates a risk of developing cancer, especially a skin cancer.
What is a mole?
A mole is a spot or a point that appears on the skin, brownish. Moles consist of cells known as melanocytes, involved in the pigmentation of the skin. They can be lumpy or flat, some may even have hair. Recall that excessive sun exposure increases the risk of developing skin cancer, making the malignant mole.
Case study
The King's College London conducted a study which lasted about 8 years to develop a technique to predict the risk of developing skin cancer and facilitate diagnosis for dermatologists and general practitioners. This technique involves counting the number of moles on the right arm. According to the study published in the British Journal of Dermatology, if there are at least 11 moles on this arm, this may indicate an increased risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma.
Over a period of 8 years, specialists have carried out the study on 3,694 white women's skin. They counted the number of moles on 17 different body parts of each person and also took into account other criteria such as skin type, hair color and freckles. This study was then extended to 400 people (women and men) diagnosed with melanoma.
Why right arm?
The arm is an easy part to access, which means that the diagnosis is simple and fast. Dermatologists and general practitioners know that a large number of moles on the skin is a precursor symptom of melanoma, a type of cancer. However, counting the moles existing throughout the body is not an easy task and requires a lot of time.
During the study, the researchers counted the moles in 17 body parts like arms, legs, back, chest, among others. The results showed that the arms are the best indicators because they have the largest number of moles. The experts also found that the number of moles on the right arm is the most predictive of the total number of moles on the entire body.
People with more than 7 moles on the right arm are 9 times more likely to have more than 50 moles on the body. People with more than 11 moles are likely to have more than 100 moles. The study also indicated that the portion below the right elbow was the most predictive of that body part.
20% to 40% of melanomas arise from pre-existing moles. This suggests that it is essential to distinguish what is normal on your skin that is not ... It is imperative to consult your doctor if you notice changes in color, texture, shape or size a mole or a spot on your skin.
A dermatologist and co-author of the study, called the patients with irregular moles to consult a specialist as soon as possible. Note that The American Cancer Society says that people who expose themselves excessively to UV rays and those with melanoma a family history are at higher increased risk of skin cancer.
Moreover, the genetic composition of moles should also be considered in the diagnosis. For example, dysplastic nevi, unusual moles are melanoma symptom. This type of moles should be distinguished from other types because it may indicate a greater risk of skin cancer.