Mole Mapping

Mole mapping involves taking digital pictures of your skin, then magnifying (up to 30 times larger) and photographing individual moles to analyze potential melanoma and skin cancer risk. The images are stored in a secure database and are used for reference at future visits.

After a total body skin examination, certain moles are marked for mole mapping photography. Photographs are taken of moles with both a digital camera and with a special camera that utilises a technique called epiluminescent microscopy. Depending on how many moles need to be photographed, mole mapping can take 10 to 30 minutes or more. The process is completely painless.

Mole mapping aids the doctor at future skin screening visits because he or she can compare with great accuracy the way moles look currently to the way they looked 6 or 12 months ago. If the doctor does not detect changes in the photographed moles from one visit to the next, then the patient can avoid having those moles surgically removed (biopsied).

Your doctor will suggest a follow-up schedule for mole mapping based on what he or she finds during your session. Most frequently, mole mapping is performed annually, but certain high-risk patients may benefit from mole photography more often.