About the service
Our mole assessment service is for adults who are concerned about their moles and would like to have them checked. This can be especially valuable for people who may be at a higher risk of skin cancer. We can assess up to three moles at a time at each appointment.
Who should have a mole assessment?
People who may have a higher risk of developing skin cancer include those who:
have fair or pale skin
have lots of moles
have a family history of skin cancer
have moles that have an unusual appearance (atypical moles) or have noticed a change in the appearance of a mole
have pale skin that burns easily in the sun
have had episodes of severe sun burn
are exposed to significant amounts of sunlight from outdoor working or living abroad
have a suppressed immune system
What to expect
You will visit us at either at Thames View at Charing Cross Hospital or the Lindo Wing at St Mary's Hospital where a medical photographer will use a dermoscope (a small handheld magnifying tool) to take high-quality detailed images of up to three of your moles. This will allow our consultants to spot important features that may not be visible to the naked eye. You will also be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about your skin which will include any changes you have noticed, your general health and your family history.
The images of your moles and your questionnaire will then be sent to a consultant dermatologist to review, and you will receive your mole assessment report within 72 hours.
If our consultant dermatologist has concerns about any of your moles, we can arrange a face-to-face consultation and if necessary, a biopsy and surgical removal.
To help consultants see your moles clearly, we recommend avoiding heavy skin creams or makeup on the day of your appointment.
We can assess up to three moles at a time at each appointment.
Why choose us?
Our expert consultant dermatologists specialise in managing skin cancers and performing skin surgery, including Mohs surgery - a minimally invasive technique used to treat certain types of skin cancer. They have also carried out extensive research in this field and regularly present their work at national and international conferences.
Find out more about our mole assessment service
If you have any questions about our mole assessment service or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact us.
Call: +44 (0) 20 3311 7700
