How do I get mole checked out?

I have a mole on my back that I am concerned about.

You can see a doctor to check whether or not it is dangerous. Before doing so you can check it at home, but it is always important to follow up any concerns with a healthcare professional. 

Skin experts recommend the ‘ABCDE’ method for analysing the potential danger:

• Asymmetry: Is one side very different to the other half?

• Border: Are there uneven, irregular, or poorly-defined edges?

• Colour: Does it have multiple colours, ranging from a tan to a dark brown?

• Diameter: Moles larger than 6 millimetres are more likely to be dangerous

• Evolving: Has the shape or size changed?

It is best to see a doctor if the answer to any of these is “yes”. Around 80% of moles tested for cancer are benign and can be removed through a routine operation.

It is possible to make an appointment with your GP (médecin traitant), who can refer you to a specialist where necessary. You can also make an appointment directly with a dermatologist, for example using the website/application Doctolib.

However, if you are insured in the French system and you do this, you will only be reimbursed at 30% of a fixed state tariff instead of 70%, and if you have top-up insurance it will not cover you for the difference.

Dermatologists are in demand and you may have to wait several weeks, or in some parts of France, months. Appointment slots with a dermatologist take longer to secure than standard appointments with a GP; however, visio (online) appointment slots are sometimes more readily available and could be a useful first step.