Mole mapping vs. a regular skin check
Both a regular skin check and mole mapping look for signs of skin cancer. The main difference is what happens between visits: whether there is a detailed record to compare against.
A regular skin check
In a standard skin check, a physician examines your skin by eye, often with a handheld dermatoscope for any spots of concern. It's a snapshot of how your skin looks on that day.
This works well for many people, especially those with few moles and no personal or family history of melanoma. Its limit is memory. When you return a year later, it can be hard for anyone to say whether a particular mole has changed.
Mole mapping
Mole mapping adds a photographic record. Total-body photographs show the location and appearance of every mole, and magnified dermoscopic images capture detail beneath the skin surface. At each follow-up the new images are compared with the old ones.
This means changes that would be hard to notice by eye, such as a mole that has grown slightly or a new spot on your back, can be picked up early. It can also reduce unnecessary removals, because a mole that looks unusual but hasn't changed over time is often reassuring.
Which is right for you?
A regular skin check may be enough if you have few moles and a low risk. Mole mapping is worth considering if you:
- Have many moles (50 or more), or moles that look atypical
- Have had melanoma or another skin cancer, or have a family history of melanoma
- Have fair skin, a history of blistering sunburns or tanning bed use
- Find it hard to keep track of your own moles, for example on your back
If you're not sure, we can help you decide at your first appointment. Mole mapping is a private service and is not covered by OHIP.