TV doctor Dr Amir Khan has issued a five-word message to anyone with moles or marks on their skin: “Get to know your moles.” In a new video shared on his Instagram account on Saturday, August 15, the NHS GP and ITV regular stressed the importance of being familiar with any marks, lumps, and bumps on your skin.
Why Knowing Your Skin Matters
The video comes from a recent episode of ITV's This Morning, where Dr Khan hosted a live skin lesion clinic and checked several people's moles for anything suspicious. He explained: “Yesterday on This Morning, we did a live skin clinic — looking at the lumps, bumps, moles and marks that so many of us have on our skin. Most of what we saw were reassuringly common, harmless skin lesions. But one stood out as particularly concerning and needing further assessment. And that’s exactly why knowing your own skin matters.”
He added: “You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to diagnose yourself. But you do need to notice when something is new, changing, bleeding, itching, not healing, or simply looks different from the rest.”
Check the Forgotten Places
Dr Khan advised: “Get to know your moles and marks. Check the places you normally forget — your back, scalp, behind your ears, the backs of your legs and between your toes. And if you spot something you’re worried about, please get it checked rather than watching and waiting indefinitely.”
He noted that most skin lesions seen in general practice are benign, but occasionally one is concerning. “A skin check takes minutes. It could make an enormous difference,” he said.
Understanding Moles
Moles develop when pigment cells called melanocytes gather in clusters. Most moles appear during childhood, adolescence, or before age 40. They can appear anywhere, including the scalp, fingers, toes, and under nails. People with fair skin or a family history of moles tend to have more, influenced by sun exposure and genetics.
Experts advise watching for new moles in adulthood or changes in size, shape, or colour. The NHS ABCDE guide can help identify warning signs, and any bleeding, itching, or irregular borders should be checked by a doctor.
When to See a GP
See a GP if a mole changes size, shape, or colour; becomes painful or itchy; is inflamed, bleeding, or crusty; or if a new or unusual mark persists for weeks. The NHS states: “Finding a melanoma as early as possible can mean it's easier to treat. Moles only need treating if they're a sign of melanoma. If the GP thinks your mole is melanoma, you'll be referred to a specialist in hospital. You should get an appointment within two weeks.”
