Skin cancer often starts as small changes in a mole, freckle or patch on the skin that won’t heal. It’s common and it’s highly treatable when you find it and get care while it’s in an early stage. That’s why spotting changes on your skin is so important.
Nathan Papadeas, PA, a specialist in dermatology with Banner Health, explained how to check your skin and the warning signs you should pay attention to.
Why checking your skin matters
“Checking your skin regularly helps you catch skin cancer and other skin problems early, when they are easiest to treat. It also helps you notice changes sooner, like new spots, moles or sores that you shouldn’t ignore,” Papadeas said.
How to check your skin at home
Step-by-step skin check
Use a mirror in a well-lit room and look at your whole body, including your:
- Face, ears and scalp
- Arms, hands, nails, fingers and between fingers
- Chest, back and sides
- Buttocks and genitals
- Legs, feet, soles, toes and between toes
Ask someone to help with hard-to-see areas like your back and scalp. “A lot of people think skin cancer only happens on sun-exposed skin but it can also appear in places like the scalp, under nails and even areas that do not get much sun,” Papadeas said.
Tips to track changes
Take photos of spots or moles so you can compare them over time for any changes in size, shape or color.
How often you should check your skin
You should check your skin about once a month or more often if you are at higher risk. You may want to add a reminder to your calendar or tie your skin cancer check with another activity you do monthly.
Who is at higher risk of developing skin cancer?
You may be at higher risk of skin cancer if you have:
- A history of sun and ultraviolet (UV) exposure
- Used tanning beds in the past or continue to use them
- A weakened immune system
- A history of skin cancer
- Wounds that don’t heal
Common warning signs of skin cancer
With skin cancer, you may notice things that seem different:
Changes in a mole or freckle
- Size, shape or color variations
- Irregular borders
- Uneven skin color
New or unusual skin growths
- A spot that looks different from others
- A growth that keeps changing
- Something that’s growing quickly
Sores, patches or spots that don’t heal
- Open sores that aren’t getting better or that heal and return
- Red or pink patches
- Rough, dry or scaly areas
- Spots that itch, hurt or bleed
How to check moles: The ABCDE rule
When you’re checking moles, remembering “ABCDE” can help you make sure you’re evaluating the signs and symptoms well:
- Asymmetry: One side doesn’t match the other
- Border: Edges are crooked, uneven or irregular
- Color: Multiple colors or uneven tone
- Diameter: Larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving: Size, shape or feeling changes over time
What different types of skin cancer can look like
These are some signs of the most common types of skin cancer:
Basal cell carcinoma
This slow-growing skin cancer may look like a:
- Pearly, shiny or waxy bump
- Pink or red growth
- Open sore that doesn’t heal
Squamous cell carcinoma
This skin cancer is less common than basal cell carcinoma but more likely to spread. You could notice:
- Rough, scaly patches or sores
- Crusted or thickened areas
- Wart-like growths
Melanoma
Melanoma may appear as a dark or unusual spot and it often changes quickly over time. The ABCDE warning signs mentioned above help check for possible melanoma.
Actinic keratosis
These precancerous spots may appear as rough, scaly patches that can feel like sandpaper. They can be pink, red or skin-colored and often appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, scalp and hands. They are not cancer but can develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
What skin cancer can look like on different skin tones
Skin cancer can affect people with all skin colors. It may look like:
- Dark brown, black or purple spots
- Areas that look like bruises
- Nonhealing sores in less sun-exposed areas like the palms, soles or under the nails
“Skin cancer on darker skin is often found later because people do not expect it,” Papadeas said.
When to see a health care provider
Contact a provider if you have a:
- New or changing mole or spot
- Sore or spot that doesn’t heal
- Bleeding, painful or itchy area
- Patch or growth that looks unusual
- Mole that looks different from your other moles
- Spot you’re not sure about
The bottom line on spotting skin cancer early
Regular skin checks can help you catch changes early and new or changing spots are the most important things to note. Getting care while cancer is at an early stage can mean you have more treatment options and better outcomes.
If you notice changes in your skin, a Banner Health provider can evaluate your symptoms and help you take the next steps.
FAQs
What are the early warning signs of skin cancer?
Changes in a mole, new growths or sores that don’t heal are common early signs.
What does a cancerous mole look like?
It may have uneven borders, multiple colors or change over time.
Can skin cancer look like a red or scaly patch?
Yes. Some types appear as red, rough or scaly patches.
What is actinic keratosis?
It is a rough, scaly patch caused by sun damage that can develop into skin cancer over time.
How often should I check my skin?
About once a month for most people.
Can people with darker skin get skin cancer?
Yes. Skin cancer can affect all skin tones and may look different on different skin colors.
