A new British study found that mole count on one’s right arm could indicate likelihood of acquiring melanoma or skin cancer, and may help doctors assess who are at a higher risk for the disease.
The research, published in the British Journal of Dermatology showed that the number of moles on the right arm was most predictive of how many moles were on the body. Individuals with over seven moles on their right arm had nine times the risk of having more than 50 on their whole body, while those with over 11 were more likely to have over 100.
A higher risk of skin cancer may manifest in persons with more than 11 moles on the right arm, according to the research team from King’s College London.
Funded by the Wellcome Trust, the study analyzed data from over 3,500 female twins. Trained nurses from St. Thomas’ Hospital in London counted the moles on each participant’s body, particularly on 17 areas.
Also recorded for the study – which checked its results against separate research involving both males and females – were skin type, hair, eye color, and freckles.
An estimated 20 to 40 percent of melanoma cases are believed to stem from preexisting moles, with more than 100 moles considered a “strong predictor” of disease risk.
The research specifically discovered that the spot above the right elbow was especially predictive of the total mole count, with the legs and men’s back strongly associated with the total count and subsequently the disease risk.
Lead author Simone Ribero of King’s College’s twin research and genetic epidemiology department said that the findings could significantly affect primary care.
“GPs [can] more accurately estimate the total number of moles in a patient extremely quickly via an easily accessible body part,” said Ribero, who added this can translate to better identification and monitoring of melanoma risks in patients.
Cancer Research UK health information manager Dr. Claire Knight cited other melanoma risk factors, including fair skin, red or fair hair, light-colored eyes, and previously having experienced sunburn.
She noted, however, that less than half of melanomas root from existing moles, making it crucial that one tells his or her doctor any change in size, shape, color or feel of a mole or normal patch of skin.
“[M]elanoma can develop anywhere on the body,” she warned, noting it is most typical on men’s trunk and women’s legs.
Twenty to 30 moles are typically found on most people’s bodies, with some having as many as 400 to 500.
According to previous research from the same experts, individuals with lots of moles are biologically younger than those who are mark-free. Moles have been linked to biological clock, where people having over 100 deemed to be up to seven years younger compared to peers with less than 25.
