Signs of Skin Cancer
Dr Thilan Walgamage • October 20, 2021
The signs of skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers
Melanoma

BCC
- develops on areas of the body that have more exposure to the sun, such as the head, face, neck, shoulders, lower arms and lower legs, but can occure anywhere on the body
- may appear as a pearl-coloured lump or as a slighty scaly area that is shiny and pale or bright pink in colour; some appear darker
- may bleed and become inflamed; may appear to heal then become inflamed again

SCC
- usually appears on parts of the body most often exposed to the sun, such as the head, neck, hands, forearms and lower legs, but can start snywher on th body
- may bleed and become inflamed, and is often tender to touch
- often appears as a thickened, red, scaly or crusted spot or rapidly growing lump
- is more common as you set older

Melanoma
- can aapear as a new or existing spot on the body that changes size, shape or colour over several weeks to months
- often has an irregular edge and either a flat or raised surface
- may be more than one coulour (brown, black, blue, red, white, light grey, pink or the color of your skin)
The signs of non-cancerous skin spots
May develop into skin cancer
Harmless

Sunspot
- flat,scaly spot that feels rough; often the colour of your skin or red

Dysplastic naevus
- mole with an irregular shape and uneven colour

Mole
- brown, black or the same colour as your skin; usually round or oval