Why do we get moles?

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

This episode is brought to you by Paypal. You know how a mom's bag has everything? Sunscreen, snacks, a stapler?

The new Paypal app is like that, but for your money. Shop, pay, manage your account, and earn rewards all in one place. And with purchase protection on eligible items, biometric security, and pass keys, you're protected at every step. Download the new Paypal app to get started. See paypal.com/protectionterms.

SPEAKER_2 (0:30)

When you think about Crocs, you think the classic clock. But did you know there's also a canvas clock, a vegan suede clock, a coastal-inspired style, a style with studs, straps, and lots of sass.

Honestly, I could keep going with the surprises. You've got to see them for yourself because there is literally a style for every kind of girl. So do your thing and head to crocs.com or a store near you now.

Bababam (1:00)

Why do we get moles?

Thanks for asking. The number of moles we have on our bodies largely depends on sun exposure. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people have 10 to 45 moles that appear during childhood and the teenage years. Moles can vary in thickness, shape, colour, and they sometimes even have hair. They can pop up between your toes, on your scalp, on your earlobes, or under your nails. Anywhere, really. Rest assured, most of the time, these small brown spots are completely harmless. But still it's worth knowing some key info about moles. That's especially true given they can sometimes be cancerous, turning into a type of skin cancer called melanoma. According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 16,700 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year. What are moles actually made of? They consist of melanocytic cells, which are responsible for producing melanin, a pigment that protects the skin from the sun. Moles develop from a local disruption in melanocyte production. These cells start multiplying haphazardly and clump together. That happens mainly due to sun exposure. As the sun's UV rays stimulate the body into producing more melanin than usual, causing us to tan. Of course, everyone reacts differently to UV rays, so how deeply you tan depends on your genetic makeup. Which genetic factors are at play then? The Fitzpatrick skin type is a classification system that dates back to the 1970s. It's also known as a phototype, and it's used to categorise different skin types based on their UV sensitivity.

The lighter a person's skin is, the lower their score is on the scale of 1 to 6, and by consequence, the more likely they are to develop new moles.

That's because their skin is more sensitive to UV rays, meaning for example, someone with a score of 1 always burns in the sun and never tans. How can you tell if a mole is dangerous? Most moles surface during childhood and adolescence, but it's not unusual for new ones to appear in adulthood, especially due to hormonal changes like those which occur during pregnancy. Dermatologists recommend self-examination at least once a year. Looking out for certain warning signs, these can be easily remembered by referring to the ABCDE rule of skin cancer. That acronym stands for asymmetry, border, colour, diameter, and elevation. If any of your moles are asymmetrical, have an uneven border, have two or more colours, have a diameter of over 5mm, or are becoming elevated, you should consult your GP. There's still a good chance that there's nothing to worry about, but it's better safe than sorry, isn't it? The charity Melanoma UK has extended the acronym to also include F for firm and G for growing, saying those are additional criteria to watch out for. There you have it.

Now you know why we get moles. In under three minutes, we answer your questions and help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. Listen along and you will really know for sure.

Ba ba ba.