Fact sheet

Moles and Melanoma Checks

Most moles are harmless and stay that way. Melanoma is a cancer of the pigment cells that can start in an existing mole or, more often, as a new spot. Found early, about 9 in 10 are cured with surgery alone.

Know the warning signs. ABCDE: Asymmetry (halves don’t match), Border that’s irregular or blurred, Colour that’s uneven or has several shades, Diameter growing (often over 6 mm, but small ones count too), Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour or feel. Some fast melanomas (nodular) break these rules, so also watch for EFG: Elevated, Firm and Growing over weeks. And the ugly duckling: a spot that looks different from all your others.

Who’s at higher risk. Lots of moles (over 100) or unusual moles, fair skin that burns, past sunburns or solarium use, a previous melanoma, or a close relative with melanoma. Australia has the world’s highest melanoma rates: about 16,800 people a year are diagnosed, and it’s the most common cancer in people aged 20 to 39. On brown and black skin, melanoma is rarer but often found later. It’s more likely on the soles, palms and under the nails: look for a new dark streak along a nail, or a dark spot on the sole that grows.

Diagnosis. A doctor examines the spot with a dermatoscope. If it’s suspicious, the whole spot is removed and checked under a microscope.

The mole check ladder

Checks find melanoma early; surgery cures most early melanomas. The aim is to catch the one that matters without cutting out every freckle.

  1. Step 1 · Self-careCheck your own skinEvery few months, in good light, with a mirror or a helper for your back, scalp, soles, between toes and under nails. Photos make changes easier to spot.
    Works
    Not tested in trials on its own; helps you notice new or changing spots early
    Cost
    Free
    How long
    Every 3 months or so
    Watch for
    Changing, new (after about 40) or itchy, bleeding spots: book in.

    You see your skin every day. Actually look at it four times a year.

  2. Step 2 · GPA skin check with a dermatoscopeA full or targeted check by a GP with skin cancer training, especially if you’re high risk or something has changed.
    Works
    A dermatoscope helps doctors spot melanoma more accurately than the naked eye
    Cost
    Often bulk-billed or about $40–100 out of pocket; skin clinics vary
    How long
    Yearly or as advised for your risk
    Watch for
    Ask your GP how often you need checks; low-risk people may not need routine ones.

    Point out the spot that worries you. We can’t read minds, only moles.

  3. Step 3 · ProcedureRemove and test a suspicious spot (excision biopsy)The whole spot is cut out with a small margin under local anaesthetic and checked in a lab.
    Works
    The only way to know for sure; most removed spots turn out to be harmless
    Cost
    GP: bulk-billed to about $100–300 out of pocket
    How long
    One procedure; results in about a week
    Watch for
    Scarring; raised (keloid) scars are more likely on brown and black skin.

    Better a scar with a story than a story with a sad ending.

  4. Step 4 · SpecialistWider surgery for melanomaIf it’s melanoma, a second operation removes more skin around the site. Deeper melanomas may need lymph gland checks and scans.
    Works
    If caught early, about 9 in 10 melanomas are cured by surgery
    Cost
    Public hospitals are free (waits apply); private gaps vary
    How long
    One or two operations, then regular checks
    Watch for
    Follow-up skin checks for years, because a second melanoma is more likely.

    Early melanoma is a surgical problem. Keep it that way.

  5. Step 5 · SpecialistHigh-risk surveillance (mole mapping, total body photos)For people with many unusual moles or a past melanoma: photos and dermatoscope images compared over time.
    Works
    Helps find new or changing spots earlier in high-risk people; not needed for most
    Cost
    Often several hundred dollars privately; some public and research programs exist
    How long
    Every 6–12 months
    Watch for
    Photos are a tool, not a replacement for showing a doctor a spot that’s changed between visits.

    For the leopard, not the lightly freckled.

  6. Step 6 · SpecialistTreatment for advanced melanomaImmunotherapy and targeted medicines for melanoma that has spread or is high risk.
    Works
    Survival for advanced melanoma has climbed from under 1 in 10 to over half at 5 years
    Cost
    Public hospital: free; PBS-listed treatments
    How long
    Months to years
    Watch for
    Side effects need prompt reporting to the cancer team.

    Huge progress, and still a very good reason to catch it early.

Costs are rough Australian prices in November 2026 and vary by pharmacy and provider. PBS co-payment: $25, or $7.70 with a concession card. Results are typical figures from studies, not promises.

Save your money

Popular, heavily marketed or often asked about, but the evidence is weak or says no.

What you can do

See your GP if

See your GP within days, not months, for a lump that’s growing quickly, bleeding or changing week to week. Fast-growing melanomas can look like a harmless pink bump.

Common questions

Does having lots of moles mean I’ll get melanoma?

No, but having over 100 moles, or several unusual ones, raises the risk, so regular checks make sense.

Can a melanoma be pink or skin-coloured?

Yes. Some fast-growing melanomas have little or no pigment. Firm, raised and growing is a reason to get checked, whatever the colour.

Do I need a yearly skin check?

It depends on your risk. People with many moles, a past melanoma or a strong family history usually benefit. Ask your GP what suits you.

Does removing a mole make it spread?

No. Removing a suspicious mole and testing it is how melanoma is diagnosed and treated.

Helpful resources

Evidence and more information

Reviewed 1 November 2026. General education, not personal medical advice. Treatment depends on your situation, so talk to your GP or pharmacist.

Related

maladywise.com/moles/