Mole Checks and Mole Mapping in Brighton

Full-body mapping uses the ATBM Fotofinder system, the same technology used by most of the world's melanoma experts, to photograph and map your entire skin surface. It creates a precise baseline, and close-up images of any concerning lesion are taken with a high-powered Medicam videodermatoscope and linked to that map.

At follow-up scans the machine compares every lesion against the last visit, ringing unchanged moles in white, changing ones in yellow and new ones in red, so your consultant can focus on exactly what matters.

The first visit begins with a risk assessment covering your history, past sun exposure and any family history of skin cancer. A head-to-toe examination follows, then imaging, then a clear discussion of the findings and your next steps.

Suspicious moles can be biopsied or removed on site under local anaesthetic and sent for histology, the gold standard for diagnosing skin cancer. Benign moles can also be removed with techniques chosen to minimise scarring. As a guide, procedure fees including hospital fees start from £350 for shave excision, curettage and cautery, £500 for cyst removal, and £775 for skin cancer excision including histology. Your consultant confirms all fees before anything goes ahead.

Every check is carried out by a consultant. Dr Paul Farrant and Dr Pallavi Gupta have particular expertise in skin cancer, and Dr Gemma Springgay focuses on skin cancer diagnosis and skin surgery. No referral is required to book.

Our Brighton clinics are at 10b Matlock Road (BN1 5BF) and Nuffield Health Brighton on Warren Road (BN2 6DX). Mole checks are available at both, with full ATBM Fotofinder mole mapping carried out at our Matlock Road clinic.

Mapping is most worthwhile if you have a personal or family history of skin cancer, fair skin, a large number of moles, or atypical moles that are harder to keep an eye on yourself. Outdoor workers and frequent travellers to hot climates also carry more risk from cumulative sun exposure.

If any of that applies to you, a baseline map now makes every future check faster and more accurate, because the consultant is comparing against a precise record rather than memory.

Mole checks can be booked directly, with no referral. Fees are confirmed before your appointment. Where a mole is removed for a medical reason it may be covered by insurance, but purely cosmetic removal usually is not, so we will set out the costs clearly beforehand.