Why Dundee mole screening service put my mind at ease

Some of us will go to great lengths to get a tan – sunbathing, using sunbeds, or slathering on bronzing fluid.

I’ve always been a fan of a healthy glow, but I’m well aware of the importance of sun protection.

Skin cancer is on the rise in the UK and experts are predicting the highest rates on record this year.

Cancer Research UK is forecasting approximately 21,000 cases of malignant melanoma this year, which is an almost 22% increase from 2023.

A woman wearing a bikini and hat sunbathing on a beach. — Don’t forget your hat and sunscreen. Image: PA.

Sensible application of sunblock, hats and long sleeves can help protect us.

But as climate change inevitably brings hotter weather, we need to start being a bit more responsible about how we enjoy the sun.

How sun savvy am I?

So what about me? I’m from Scotland. Aberdeenshire, to be precise. I have black hair, fair(ish) skin and freckles.

I cover myself in factor 30 without fail. I’ll go with factor 50 if I’m abroad and it’s roasting.

Gayle standing on a rocky shore in Rhodes with the sea behind her. — Gayle on a recent holiday to Rhodes – and wearing her factor 50. Image: Gayle Ritchie.

Admittedly, I haven’t always been quite so religious about sunscreen application, and it’s something I regret.

Why was I worried?

However, while I’ve always had freckles, I didn’t have any moles until three years ago – and they developed quite quickly after a week of winter sun in Tenerife.

One is in the upper groin area, and the other on my lower abdomen.

Did the bikinis I was wearing rub off the sun lotion in these areas, perhaps, or did I just miss them completely?

A person squirting sunscreen into their hand on a beach. — It’s important to reapply sunscreen frequently. Image: PA.

Certainly, it was a wee bit of a worry to watch these growths increase in size.

They’re small, and they don’t cause any discomfort, but I decided I wanted to get them checked for peace of mind.

How to get a mole screening?

I thought about contacting my GP, but was well aware the service is working flat out and appointments can be hard to book.

So when I discovered that Boots in Dundee offers a mole scanning service in partnership with ScreenCancer, I booked myself in for a check.

Boots pharmacist Andrew Geekie sitting at a computer and holding a mole-scanning device. — Boots pharmacist Andrew Geekie ready for mole screening. Image: Steve Brown.

I headed along to the High Street store, where friendly pharmacist Andrew Geekie got me to fill in a short questionnaire to assess my risks for skin cancer.

He then explained that he would take some high-definition images of any moles or marks that concerned me.

These would be analysed by experts at ScreenCancer.

Gayle fills out a questionnaire at Boots. Image: Steve Brown.

I knew these two ‘moles’ concerned me, but I also had a dark, almost black, freckle on my clavicle area that I was keen to have scanned.

How much is mole-screening service?

It costs £40 for your first mole, or pigmented lesion, and each additional one scanned during the consultation is £20.

So essentially my session would cost £80.

Mole-scanning equipment at Boots in Dundee. Image: Steve Brown.

However, if you’ve got more than four moles you want scanned, Boots advise that you chat to your GP.

The same goes for any moles on your face or in ‘intimate’ areas – they advise you to see your doctor.

What happens during scan?

The process of getting my three ‘moles’ scanned was quick and painless – and Andrew’s cheery chat really put me at ease.

First up he took general photos of them – and then scanned them using a ScreenCancer dermatoscopic imaging device.

Andrew scans one of Gayle's moles. — Andrew scans one of Gayle’s moles. Image: Steve Brown.

These shots produce hideous and terrifying close-ups – I glanced at Andrew’s screen and immediately wished I hadn’t. Gross!

During the session, Andrew talked through the importance of using quality sunscreen of at least factor 30 that protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

Andrew zooms in for a close-up of a mole during the screening. Image: Steve Brown.

And he also advised me to take note of changes in my moles and skin markings.

Any new moles or a change in existing moles could be a sign of melanoma.

Look out for bleeding, itching, crusting or moles with misshapen outlines too.

What next?

The session took a mere 20 minutes and all that remained was for Andrew to send off my scans to be analysed by a ScreenCancer dermatology specialist, with a report sent to me via email within a week.

Gayle risks a peek at the screen during the mole-screening service. Image: Steve Brown.

The scans check for signs of all types of skin cancer, including malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma.

Two days later, I had my report – and wow, what a relief.

My mole-screening results

The first one, in the clavicle area, is apparently a benign pigmented lesion called an ink-spot lentigo.

There’s ‘nil’ suspicion for skin cancer with this one, but if it does change or grow over time, I’m advised to go back for another scan.

An example of an ink-spot lentigo. Image: Shutterstock.

The second one, on my upper groin, is a benign seborrheic keratosis.

My third mole, or mark, is another non-suspicious seborrheic keratosis. Phew!

My scans were analysed by Dr Toby Chave and his report states: “The results suggest that your mole(s)/pigmented lesion(s) do not show any signs of any skin cancers at this time.

“However, since there is no medical test that is 100% accurate to diagnose skin cancer and as our bodies are constantly changing, you should keep on checking your moles.”

An example of a seborrheic keratosis. Image: Shutterstock.

With reference to the two defined as ‘seborrheic keratosis’, Dr Chave says: “This is a common benign pigmented skin lesion developing with age and with no risk of progression or sinister change.

“They can develop in a variety of patterns and some patients develop many over the years.”

Keep an eye on things

He adds: “All new and changing lesions should not be brushed off as similarly benign – rather attend your GP to confirm.”

The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.

I’m relieved, to say the least. And while the service does cost money, it could be a life-saver.

People thought to be at high risk of developing skin cancer include: those with fair skin that easily burns; those with lots of moles or freckles (more than 50); those with red or fair hair; and those with a family history of skin cancer.

Anyone being treated with immunosuppressive drugs should be especially aware of their moles and use high protection being in the sun.

How to check your moles?

Doctors use a checklist – the ABCDE list – which explains some of the signs of melanoma.

This stands for asymmetry, border, colour, diameter and evolving – skin damage characteristics doctors look for when diagnosing and classifying melanomas.

An example of skin cancer or melanoma. Image: Shutterstock.

See your GP straight away if you are worried about any of these changing.

Melanomas can stand out from other moles. So, if a mole looks different or is much darker than others, get it checked, even if you have none of the ABCDE signs.