FAQS

How often should mole mapping be repeated?

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The frequency of mole mapping varies according to the number of moles and the degree of melanoma risk.

Reduce your skin cancer risk

For people at very high risk of melanoma, total body mole mapping photography should be performed every year. This includes people with many (hundreds) of moles over their whole body, people with a history of multiple melanomas, and people with multiple dysplastic moles.

People at lower risk require mole mapping less frequently; we usually suggest it every 3-4 years to keep up with changes in their skin.

For these people, mole mapping can be useful not only to detect, but also to rule out changes in concerning moles.

This means we can sometimes avoid unnecessary biopsy and excision procedures.

The main downside of yearly mole mapping in lower-risk people is expense. If you have private insurance that covers mole mapping, or if you simply want to be very thorough, feel free to have mole mapping performed with every skin check.

Dr Chris Miller
Written by Dr Chris Miller Accredited skin cancer doctor

MBBS, MA (Virtual Comm), Grad Cert Hlth Info, Grad Dip Comp Inf Sci

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Mole mapping: before and after