San José, Costa Rica. May, 2016.

Birthmarks are those little spots that we have on our body and which, over time, as well as being part of our features, could also become a cause for alarm. We are talking of moles or birthmarks.

Fortunately, 90% of them are benign, so that they are no more than a distinctive feature. But the remaining 10% have the potential of becoming very aggressive malignant tumors. This type of cancer is known as melanoma and it is capable of extending to other organs (metastasis) becoming the cause of death of the patient.

What are the characteristics of a dangerous birthmark?

As Dr. Guillermo Cortés Antia, dermatologist of the  Hospital Clínica Bíblica explains that small birthmarks, smaller than 5 mm, that have only one color and have very defined borders should not concern us.

There is a “golden rule” that dermatologists use to identify the moles or birthmarks with cancer potential:

• Asymmetry of the birthmark.
• Irregular borders.
• More than three colors inside the mole or birthmark.
• Diameter over 5 mm.
• Elevation.

In these cases, in order to establish a precise diagnosis, other tests have to be performed with the use of dermatoscopes, which are apparatus with polarized light that allow the physician to see in detail the internal structures of the mole or birthmark and establish the potential of malignancy.

“Skin cancer is a low growth cancer that most of the time does not have symptoms such as pain or stinging. In some cases, moles can bleed lightly when rubbing against clothing.” “Therefore, it is important to pay attention to any change in a mole or birthmark.”

Also, there are other more frequent skin tumors, such as the base-cellular carcinoma or the epidermoid carcinoma, which are generated through the prolonged exposure to the sun.

How can we prevent skin cancer?

At the  Hospital Clínica Bíblica, prevention is life, so that we offer the following advice to prevent skin cancer:

• Avoid prolonged exposures to the sun, as well as sunburns.
• Always use sun block with SPF (solar protection factor) 30 or more.
• Cover the skin as much as possible when exposed to the sun.
• Try not to be exposed between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the UVB rays (responsible for sunburns and skin cancer) are more intense.

In order to obtain further information, or to request an appointment in any of the medical specialties, you may contact the private hospital Clínica Bíblica at telephone no. 2522-1000, email 2522-1000, al correo electrónico contacto@clinicabiblica.com or via chat at the website: clinicabiblica.com.