Christie Brinkley: Why Mole Checks Are Essential for Early Skin Cancer Detection

As seen in the Mirror

Dr Ross Perry was invited to give his expert advice for readers of the Mirror after Christie Brinkley shared news of her skin cancer, highlighting the importance of self-checking for worrying moles and blemishes.

The Mirror feature headlined:

Christie Brinkley’s skin cancer diagnosis prompts doctor to list three warning symptoms

daily mirrorMole Checking – the Christie Brinkley effect

70 year old model Christie Brinkley recently shared her story about being diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.

Brinkley’s experience highlights a critical fact: skin cancer doesn’t discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or background.

Thankfully, she caught it early and received successful treatment; but her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of regular mole checks; as most skin cancers are highly treatable when detected early.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and the UK. When skin cancer is caught early, it is almost always curable, so early detection is key.

What is a mole?

A mole is a cluster of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) that grow together on the skin. Most moles are harmless. However, some moles can become cancerous.

What are the warning signs of skin cancer?

Dr Ross Perry recommends the ABCDE rule is a helpful way to remember the warning signs of skin cancer:

  • Asymmetry: One half of the mole is unlike the other half.
  • Border: The border of the mole is irregular or blurred.
  • Colour: The mole has multiple tones, such as brown, black, tan, or red.
  • Diameter: The mole is larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 millimetres).
  • Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or colour. Bleeding, oozing, itchiness or painful are also a signal.

Ultimately any concern should be checked out – it’s always worth looking into a hunch that something is a bit different.

Mole removal expert advice

Dr Ross Perry, GP and Founder/Medical Director of Cosmedics Skin Clinics told Mirror readers to look out for 3 areas in particular:

Pearly lesions on the eyelids

” The eyelids are a common place for skin cancer, around 85% to 95% of eyelid cancers in non-asian countries are basal cell skin cancers. Malignant (cancerous) growths on the eyelid can appear brown, black, red or flesh coloured (pearly) it’s important to be aware of any changes such as appearance, shape, colour and growth. They may be crusty or sore, itchy and tender and appear shiny and waxy looking.”

Black marks under the nails

“Subungual melanoma which can appear under a toenail or fingernail can easily be mistaken for a bruise. Repeated injury to finger- or toenails has been identified as a risk factor for developing subungual melanoma-. Subungual melanoma can spread to other parts of the body if left so It’s important to get checked out as soon as you can.”

Unexplained scars

“If you have a scar like patch of skin which appears entirely out of nowhere and continually grows it could be a sign of Basal Cell Carcinoma which is a cancer that grows on parts of your skin that is exposed to a lot of sun. It is the least risky type of skin cancer as long as you get it checked out early.”

Read more

Read this story in full at https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/christie-brinkleys-skin-cancer-diagnosis-32353321

Mole checks UK

Christie Brinkley’s skin cancer story highlights the importance of being aware of the warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any changes in your moles, it is important to see a doctor for a skin cancer check.  It’s always better to get things checked out early and rule out any concerns.

Skin Surgery Laser Clinics

Cosmedics’ Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer private mole removal at a selection of clinics based in London and Bristol. Moles are removed using the latest surgical techniques including laser mole removal; with trained doctors and surgeons.

Our team of qualified and experienced doctors and surgeons also treat other skin blemishes, including sebaceous cysts, skin tags, warts and lipoma using  freezing, laser or surgical techniques.

For ultimate peace of mind, Cosmedics Skin Surgery Laser Clinic offer a thorough top to toe mole check carried out by their trained and experienced doctors.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was founded in 2003 by Dr Ross Perry, a qualified and experienced London GP who has an excellent reputation in skin treatments and has removed thousands of lesions/blemishes in his career.

For more information or to book a consultation, please complete the form on this web page or call 020 7386 0464.