Mole Clinic with Dr Ross Perry

Cosmedics Skin Clinics’ founder Dr Ross Perry appeared on ITV’s This Morning today alongside resident doctor, Dr Chris Steele. 

Holly explained:

“According to latest figures over 15,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, with the number of skin cancer cases on the rise.”

Phillip added:

“Well, the good news is the earlier you detect it, the better chance you have of surviving it.”

Dr Chris Steele explained the 2 main types of skin cancer:

“Melanoma and non-melanoma.

“Well, leave aside the non-melanoma for today, we’re dealing with melanoma which arises from moles and our doctor detective item we’ve got to look at the clues that you’ll see in a mole that is changing or has changed into a malignant melanoma.”

Dr Chris showed images of a normal mole which he says displays nice round edges, can be round or oval, symmetrical, same colour generally throughout the mole.

He explained the warning signs to look for:

• Increasing size – noticeable rapid growth (e.g. over 4 weeks) or larger than the blunt end of a pencil
• Changing colour – darkening colour or variation of colour within the mole. Hues can be shades of brown, red, black, blue…
• Itching/bleeding – scabbing or oozing

Mole Expert Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry reviewed 3 viewers’ moles

The first was a protruding mole which was inconvenient and annoying, but not deemed to be risky. However, Ross picked up another mole on the patient’s back which he said needed keeping an eye on.

Ross explained that anyone can spot a suspicious mole:

“You don’t need to be a mole expert…”

Continuing:

“What you’re looking for is the funny mole or the that’s just different from all the others. It’s change that’s the most important thing.”

The second patient’s mum had experienced melanoma and had concerns about an irregular mole on her back. Ross said:

“…she’s done all the right things. She’s identified the risks – it’s changing, getting bigger, she’s got a family history – so you’ve done exactly the right thing coming in to get it checked out – and it does have a little bit of an irregular edge to it and it does have a little bit of darker shading in the middle of it – but it is absolutely fine – but there’s no reason for her not to keep monitoring it cos it could change still further.”

Ross suggested making a note of any concerns and checking in 3 months time.

The third patient had received a diagnosis of skin cancer in 2015 at the age of 23 with no family history and not a sun worshipper. After her first referral, she was dismissed. However, as the mole continued to change she returned and was told it had progressed to stage 2 skin cancer around Christmas 2016; at which point therapy started.

Ross said:

“You did exactly the right thing again. If moles keep changing, you have to revisit your doctor. It’s as simple as that and luckily you did it.”

Sun Exposure Advice

Phillip summarised advice for sun exposure:

• Cover up
• Use the right sunscreen
• Get the timing right
• Seek shelter in the hottest part of the day

Dr Chris Steele concluded:

“Covering up of course is the best way to prevent radiation – I mean it’s radiation – you think of sunlight, but it’s radiation, ultraviolet radiation. I’ve had skin cancer 3 times – I’m very aware of sunlight.”

Watch Dr Ross Perry on This Morning:

The Mole Clinic feature starts at around 22 minutes into the programme which is on ITV hub for the next week only at: https://www.itv.com/hub/this-morning/ (registration required).

Comments on Facebook

This Morning’s post prior to the feature has had extensive interest – see below:

Dr Ross Perry

Dr Ross Perry regularly provides expert comment and advises the media on a range of skincare and health-related issues.

He has particular expertise in skin surgery mole removal and melanoma; having removed thousands of moles in his career, both within the NHS and privately through Cosmedics Skin Clinics. He has provided expert advice on sun damage and sun protection for a variety of UK media and publications.

DR ROSS PERRY

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Cosmedics Skin Clinics

Cosmedics Skin Clinics was established in 2003 and has built up an excellent reputation for cosmetic and medical treatments, carried out by GMC Registered Doctors.  The company offer a full range of cosmetic treatments, including popular lip enhancement and wrinkle relaxing injections, dermal fillers; plus medical treatments including mole removal, thread vein treatment and excessive sweating injections.

Cosmedics Skin Clinics has a team of skin treatment doctors and surgeons in their 5 skin clinics across London and Bristol led by Dr Ross Perry.

Call 020 7386 0464 or email info@cosmedics.co.uk to book an appointment.