4 sunburns in 4 years

hi, I'm 32 years old and noticed a mole on the back of my shoulder. I asked someone to take a photo of it. It's not perfectly round and I worry a bit. I'm brown haired with brown eyes, I'm not fairy skined but not dark (I guess I have normal skin).  I placed a jpg of my mole at this address:  http://www.upload-jpg.com/images.php/8982d2219/IMG_3558.jpg       There is also something that worries me a bit too, I have had 4 sunburns on my upper back/shoulder in the last 5 years (one in 2007, one in 2009, one in 2010 and one this year of 2011), is it dangerous to develop skin cancer because of theses sunburns ?  I used a After Sun Repair Balm after each of theses sunburns

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like a normal mole, however keep an eye on it. If you notice changes in the mole's/mark’s color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have it checked if it bleeds, oozes, itches, appear scaly, or become tender or painful. Sunburn results when the amount of exposure to the sun or other ultraviolet light source exceeds the ability of the body's protective pigment, melanin, to protect the skin.

Try to protect the skin from sun exposure during the peak sun hours like from 10 am till 4 pm. Also use a sunscreen with spf 30 atleast half an hour before going out in the sun. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[davet114]

Thanks very much, I have had an appointment with a dermatologist. I will keep an eye on it.