Instead of assessing for moles in the entire parts of the body, scientists suggest that the right arm will already do. In a new study conducted, researchers found that an appearance of 11 and more moles in that area alone increases an individual's risk for skin cancer.
The group from King's College London conducted an experiment in which scientists examined and had some nurses from the St Thomas' hospital in London count the number of moles of 3594 female twins in 17 various body parts. In addition, it is reported that other factors were also noted like the type of skin, colour of hair and eye, and freckles. This same process was carried out by a group of around 400 men and women.
Here they found that mole count on the right arm is more prognosticated in determining the overall number of moles in the body. For instance, if a person's right arm has more than seven moles, he or she has ninefold risk of having 50 moles in the body, whereas individuals who have more than 11 moles most likely have over and above a hundred moles in the entire body.
"The findings could have a significant impact for primary care, allowing GPs to more accurately estimate the total number of moles in a patient extremely quickly via an easily accessible body part," Simone Ribero from the Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology said. "This would mean that more patients at risk of melanoma can be identified and monitored."
However, Cancer Research UK health information manager warned that "it's important to know what's normal for your skin and to tell your doctor about any change in the size, shape, colour or feel of a mole or a normal patch of skin. And don't just look at your arms - melanoma can develop anywhere on the body."
Other areas that may also be possible basis are the right elbow and leg, and then back for men. Researchers admit that further studies are needed to prove this. The study is published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
