Can Moles Increase Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer type among women and accounts for 1 in 10 new cancer diagnoses every year, as per the 2021 research. Early detection of breast cancer is crucial for effective treatment, and awareness of your risk factors can aid in early detection. Recent studies suggest that there could be a connection between having moles on your skin and developing breast cancer.

Moles, or nevi, are common and can appear on your skin from birth due to sun exposure, aging, or even without any reason. However, it’s important to note that having moles does not necessarily mean you will develop breast cancer, even if you have many of them. Let’s explore what we currently know about the link between moles and breast cancer.

How do moles increase your risk of breast cancer?

According to a study conducted in 2014, women with a large number of moles may have an increased risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer. The study analyzed the medical records of 89,902 women in France, of which 5,956 were diagnosed with breast cancer. The findings indicated that women with many moles were more likely to have a family history of breast cancer and more likely to develop the condition.

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In a similar study conducted in 2014, researchers analyzed 24 years of health data from 74,523 female nurses. Of those nurses, 5,483 developed invasive breast cancer. Interestingly, the nurses who had no moles were less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who had some nevi. Additionally, nurses with 15 or more nevi were 3 percent more likely to develop the condition.

Researchers hypothesize that hormones may play a role in the development of moles throughout one’s lifetime. Specifically, elevated hormone estrogen levels may be linked to both the development of breast cancer and the presence of a higher number of moles. However, further research is needed to understand the relationship between these factors fully.

Can a mole on your breast or nipple turn into cancer?

It’s important to note that moles on any part of your body, including your breasts and nipples, may become cancerous. Cancerous moles are a sign of melanoma, the most prevalent form of skin cancer. Fortunately, melanomas can usually be removed safely and non-invasively before the cancerous cells can spread.

It’s important to understand that having melanoma on your breast is not the same as having breast cancer, which usually involves a lump or tumor. The follow-up procedure for melanoma removal typically does not include chemotherapy, radiation, or biological drugs commonly used in breast cancer treatment.

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What do common moles or nevi look like?

Small growths on your skin that are typically darker than your natural skin color are common moles. These growths, or nevi, form when pigment cells in your skin grow in clusters. Most adults have between 10 and 40 moles, which often appear on areas of the body that are exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and neck. If you have 50 or more moles, you may be at a higher risk of developing melanomas (skin cancer) or other types of cancer. While everyone’s skin may look slightly different with moles, it’s essential to recognize the difference between benign and cancerous moles. Here are some images to help you understand the distinction.

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What do cancerous moles look like?

There are distinguishable differences between cancerous and common moles, as the National Cancer Institute pointed out. They suggest using the ABCDE rule to identify the ones that require medical attention.

• Asymmetry (A). A cancerous mole’s shape may be different on one half than the other.
• Border (B). A cancerous mole may have an irregular or uneven edge instead of presenting as round.
• Color (C). A cancerous mole can be unevenly colored instead of one pigment throughout, with pink, black, white, or gray present.
• Diameter (D). A cancerous mole may grow in size, taking on a thicker appearance.
• It was evolving (E). A cancerous mole may look different from a few weeks or months ago.

If you have many moles, should you be screened more often?

While having numerous moles is not necessarily a sign that you require more frequent breast cancer screenings, it is advisable to undergo more frequent checks for melanomas. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) indicates that possessing 50 or more common moles is a risk factor for skin cancer. However, your chances of developing breast cancer are still average if you have many moles but no other risk factors.

According to current breast cancer screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society:

• Women ages 40 to 44 have the option to start getting mammograms every year and can perform a self-check every month.
• Women aged 45 to 54 should get mammograms yearly if they’re at average risk.
• Women 55 years and older can switch to a mammogram every other year if they are still considered low-risk.

Read more: What are the Recommendations for Breast Cancer Screening?

What are the other risk factors for breast cancer?

Breast cancer is influenced by other known risk factors that experts can use to provide reliable insights into your risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a reliable source of information on these risk factors. They include:

• Family history. If you have an immediate family member like a mother, sister, or daughter who has had breast or ovarian cancer, your odds of developing the condition increase.
• Genetic mutations. Inherited changes to specific genes have been identified as strong predictors of whether you will develop breast cancer.
• Lifestyle choices. High alcohol consumption and low physical activity levels have been linked to a more substantial likelihood of breast cancer.
• Reproductive history. If you do not become pregnant before age 30, do not experience a full-term pregnancy, and do not breastfeed, these factors may increase your breast cancer risk.
• Medications. Radiation therapy, hormone replacement therapy, and diethylstilbestrol have been connected to higher breast cancer rates.

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Takeaway

Your mole count may provide insight into your potential risk for breast cancer, but further research is needed to determine the strength of this correlation. It is unreliable for assessing your chance, as other established methods like genetic testing and family history analysis are more accurate. If you have concerns about your risk, it’s best to consult a doctor who can provide personalized screening recommendations based on your risk factors.