MOLE MAPPING

Do you have skin moles, fair skin, severe sunburns in the past or have a family history of skin cancer?

If so, getting a yearly skin and mole check is an important way to help detect skin cancer in the early stages, when most cases are curable. Skin cancer is amongst the top most common cancers in the Netherlands and around the world.

At the International Health Centre we embrace technological advances that help with prevention and early detection of diseases. One of our favorites is a state of the art high-resolution camera (called a FotoFinder) that identifies, tracks and records all your moles, as well as flag those that are suspicious, in a system called mole mapping. This is extremely valuable since cancerous moles evolve slowly but steadily and the process can go unnoticed until it is too late.

What are the advantages of using mole mapping vs a regular mole check by your dermatologist?

There are many advantages, for example;

1. Mole mapping keeps a high-resolution record of your moles, and therefore new and changing moles can be identified much earlier than by relying on you or your doctor’s memory.

2. By flagging suspicious moles, your doctor can then take magnified photos that can further determine whether that mole looks cancerous. This also reduces the risk of unnecessarily removing a healthy mole (and leaving a permanent scar).

3. If you move country, change doctors, or simply would like to check for yourself what your moles looked like at your last check, you will be given all the photos on a USB stick to take with you to your next dermatologist or mole mapping facility.

What can you expect during a mole mapping appointment?

The dermatology nurse will first take the standardized, whole-body digital photos. Then, if it is your first appointment, the dermatologist will do a visual check of all your moles, and take magnified photos of moles that look suspicious. The appointment will last approximately 45 minutes.

How often do you need to get your moles checked?

We recommend once per year if no suspicious moles were identified at your last check. For suspicious moles, we advise you to get them checked after 3-6 months.

Is mole mapping for everyone?

Mole mapping is particularly suitable if you have an increased risk of skin cancer, defined as:
–          Multiple moles (50 or more) or large moles
–          Personal or family history of skin cancer
–          Pale skin that burns easily in the sun
–          History of severe sunburns or a lot of sun exposure
–          A suppressed immune system 

Appointments or questions: Please call us on 070 306 5100 and select the polyclinic option.

You may also contact us via email at ihchpoli@ezorg.nl for more information.