Prevent Skin Cancer / Remove Normal Moles?

I have over 70 small normal moles. I asked my family physician and a dermatologist to remove these spots. They said, they won鈥檛 because the spots look ok and I would get scars. I read several times, if you have more that 50 normal moles, they should be removed to prevent skin cancer. I don鈥檛 want to wait until the moles look bad, until I鈥檒l get cancer. I want to treat it, before I get skin cancer. I also want to get rid of these ugly spots.

Who has experiences with moles and skin cancer?

Hun, just having the moles removed will not prevent skin cancer. Any cells that are dangerous, go further than just the surface of the mole on your skin, and you would literally need to have small/ large holes dug in your skin to possibly get to the bottom of them.

Think of a jellyfish - the main part of the jellyfish is on the surface of the water, but the tentacles are hanging down....
If someone could come along and slice just the body of the jellyfish off at the water line, those tentacles would still be hanging down - and capable of stinging.

It's basically the same way with your moles. They just don't sit on the surface, but have "tentacles" that go down into your tissue. As long as there doesn't seem to be a problem such as discolorization, changing shape, size or texture, you really should leave them as they are for the time being.

Have you had any biopsies done ? You could always insist to your doctors that they do a biopsy.... for your piece of mind, but generally, I would take their advice - and I personally would agree with it.

Several types of moles have a higher than average risk of becoming cancerous. They include:

Large moles present at birth. Large moles that are present at birth are called congenital nevi or giant hairy nevi. These moles may increase your risk of malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. In general, moles that are more than the size of an adult open palm pose the greatest risk. Have your doctor examine any mole that was present at birth and is palm-sized or larger.
Moles that run in families. Moles that are larger than average 鈥?which is about 1/4 inch (6 millimeters), or the diameter of a pencil eraser 鈥?and irregular in shape are known as atypical (dysplastic) nevi. These moles tend to be hereditary. They're frequently described as looking like fried eggs because they usually have dark brown centers and lighter, uneven borders. Overall, they may look red or tan. If you have dysplastic nevi, you have a greater risk of developing malignant melanoma.
Numerous moles. If you have many moles larger than a pencil eraser, you are at greater risk of developing melanoma.
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Was a practising Geriatric Oncologist for many years.

The moles don't cause cancer. They are an indicator of cancer. Just because you remove them does not mean you won't get skin cancer. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Wear sunblock when you have to be in it. keep going to your doctor for annual checkups. Watch the moles for any changes in them. Irregular borders changes in size, shape or color and so on. I have quite a few of my own and I'm not having any removed. Also my wife passed away 12 years ago from melanoma. Just be careful. Report anything unusual to your doctor. If caught early it is very curable,