What Are Signs of Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells, often triggered by UV radiation. Catching it early improves outcomes significantly. Here's what to look for:
🔍 Warning Signs
- New spots or growths: Especially if they don’t go away or appear suddenly :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Changing moles: Variations in size, shape, color, elevation, bleeding, itching, or crusting :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Non-healing sores: Sores that bleed, ooze, crust, or fail to heal within a few weeks :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Rough or scaly patches: Often precursors to squamous cell carcinoma :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
- Itchy, tender, or painful areas: Persistent irritation may signal basal or squamous cell cancer :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Dark streaks under nails: Could indicate rare but serious subungual melanoma :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- “Ugly duckling” lesions: Spots that look different from your other moles :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
Different Types — Different Appearances
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): Shiny or pearly bumps; may have visible blood vessels or ulcerate; often painless :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC): Firm red lumps or scaly patches, may crust, bleed, or ulcerate :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- Melanoma: Moles showing ABCDE signs—Asymmetry, Border irregularities, Color variation, Diameter >6 mm, Evolving in any way :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
ABCDE Rule for Melanoma
- A – Asymmetry: Uneven halves.
- B – Border: Irregular, scalloped, or vague.
- C – Color: Multiple shades (brown, black, tan, red, white) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- D – Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (~pencil eraser) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- E – Evolution: Any change in size, shape, color, or symptoms :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
🩺 When to See a Doctor
- Any new, changing, bleeding, itching, or persistent skin lesion.
- Non-healing sores or crusty patches lasting weeks.
- Changes in nails like dark streaks.
- "Ugly duckling" lesions among your moles :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
🧠 Self-Check Tips
- Do a monthly full-body skin self-exam, using mirrors for hard-to-see areas :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
- Take photos to track lesions over time.
- Schedule annual skin exams, especially if you have many moles, fair skin, or a personal/family skin cancer history :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
🎯 Key Takeaway
Any new, changing, persistent, or unusual skin lesion requires prompt medical evaluation. Early detection—guided by awareness of these warning signs—is key to successful treatment and better prognosis.