Skin safety: mole mapping with Nuriss

The sun is a dangerous temptress. We may bask in her warmth, but we must not underestimate her power. Fiona Adams counts the cost (and her moles)

Scorched skin acquired after a long day on the beach, followed by industrial quantities of aloe vera: yes, we’ve all been to planet sunburn and got the t-shirt (marks) to prove it. 

With the average holidaymaker lying in the sun for 70 hours over the course of a 10-day holiday, it’s hardly surprising that sun damage – and malignant melanoma in particular (one form of skin cancer that can spread to other organs) – continues to hit the health headlines. According to statistics from Cancer Research UK, there were 13,300 cases of malignant melanoma diagnosed in 2011. That’s 37 every day, two of whom were young adults (aged 15 – 34). 

And yet, while we’re routinely reminded to carry out breast and testicular inspections, we forget about the body’s largest organ.

Forgive the surfeit of personal information, but I have moles in abundance: on arms, legs, back, you name it. I even have one on my big toe. Some of these are genetic, but in recent years, perhaps spiked by guilty memories of early sunbed use and hot holidays, I’ve started to wonder if they all are healthy. 

In order to make absolutely sure, I visited skincare specialist Dr Anita Sturnham at her Nuriss Skincare and Wellness Clinic in London’s Wimpole Street. Dr Anita also has more than 12 years’ experience as a GP and her clinic offers one of the most advanced mole mapping procedures available.

“Many people with concerns have no idea where to go,” she explains. “As a GP, I know that doctors do not have the time to check a patient’s every mole. You can only look at the areas worrying them, which are often the least dangerous.”

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My appointment involved an evaluation of my age, medical and family history, skin type, sun exposure and whether I had any particular worries. Then it was time to strip down to my underwear to be photographed, analysed and examined, helped by a handy piece of equipment called the FotoFinder Bodystudio ATBM. 

Within an hour you can have peace of mind or a plan of action, depending on the news you receive. It is especially recommended for people with 50+ moles, family history of skin cancer, fair skin that has been badly burned or moles in inaccessible places, such as the back. 

The Bodystudio takes images from various angles of your whole body: I had to stand in certain positions which will be replicated exactly when I return for the recommended annual check-up. Thus previous images can be overlayed with new ones to help monitor the minutest of differences. The computer identifies moles that require assessment (Dr Anita also examined the images as we went along), and these are then inspected further using a handheld dermoscopy to create highly magnified images on the screen. 

In my case, there were seven suspect moles. The dermoscopy images are highly detailed, showing the intricacies of the moles’ borders, pigmentation, shape and system of blood vessels. The computer also gives a colour-coded risk factor. Happily, Dr Anita deemed my moles healthy-looking, but she did suggest that one of them would benefit from another look in three months, and then in six months, for changes. 

Results are stored and can be digitally exported should you decide to seek treatment elsewhere, either privately or on the NHS.

The experience is painless and not at all embarrassing (you’re with a GP after all). So if you think you have a problem, get it checked out. Don’t imagine for a moment that you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.

Mole mapping is available at Nuriss from £250