Florida’s UV index sits at 6 or higher for much of the year, and it climbs above 10 through the summer. That level of exposure does not just raise skin cancer risk in the abstract. It compresses the timeline over which a mole can change, which means the rhythm we use to monitor moles in Central Florida is not the same rhythm that works farther north.
Most patients are told to have a full-body skin exam once a year. That is still the right baseline. What changes here is how quickly a single spot can shift between visits, and how attentive you should be to your own skin in the months in between.
What counts as a meaningful change in a mole
Board-certified dermatologists use the ABCDE framework because it flags the features that most often separate a routine mole from one that needs a closer look:
- Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not mirror the other
- Border: edges become uneven, notched, or blurred
- Color: more than one shade, or a new color inside an existing spot
- Diameter: larger than about 6 millimeters (roughly a pencil eraser), or clearly growing
- Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, elevation, or symptoms such as itching, bleeding, or crusting
The “E” is the one that matters most in Florida. A mole that has been quietly stable for years and then starts to change, even subtly, deserves an in-person evaluation. So does any new spot that appears after age 40, and any lesion that simply looks different from the rest of your moles.
When to schedule sooner than your annual visit
Do not wait for your yearly appointment if you notice:
- A mole that has changed in the last 2 to 3 months
- A spot that bleeds, itches, or will not heal within 4 weeks
- A new dark or irregular lesion, especially on sun-exposed skin
- A pink or pearly bump that grows or recurs after seeming to heal
- A personal history of skin cancer with any new suspicious spot
Patients with fair skin, a personal or family history of melanoma, many moles (typically more than 50), or significant sun exposure earlier in life may benefit from skin exams every 6 months rather than every 12. That interval is set with your dermatologist based on your risk profile, not a single rule.
Between visits, a monthly self-check in good light, with a partner or a mirror for the back and scalp, catches most meaningful changes early. Phone photos of any spot you are watching make the comparison easier at your next appointment.
The bottom line
Early detection is what turns most skin cancers, including melanoma, into a treatable problem. Florida’s UV load simply means the window for catching a change is shorter here than the calendar suggests. If a mole is doing something new, or you are overdue for your annual skin exam, our board-certified team is happy to take a look. You are welcome to request a skin check at our Windermere office whenever you have a concern.