It’s important to get to know your skin and what is normal for you. Skin cancers rarely hurt and are usually flat. The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your outcome. Regularly check your skin for new spots and changes to existing freckles or moles.
- Make sure you check your entire body. Skin cancers can sometimes occur in parts of the body not exposed to the sun, such as soles of the feet, between fingers and toes and under nails.
- Undress completely and make sure you have good light.
- Use a mirror to check hard to see spots, like your back and scalp, or get a family member, partner or friend to check it for you.
What to look for
There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma, BCC and SCC.
Melanoma
- Most deadly form of skin cancer.
- can spread to other parts of the body.
- Appears as a new spot or an existing spot that changes in colour, size or shape.
- Can appear on skin not normally exposed to the sun.
- Nodular form of melanomas grows quickly. They are raised and even in colour. Many are red or pink and some are brown or black.
BCC
- Most common, least dangerous form of skin cancer.
- Red, pale or pearly in colour, appears as a lump or dry, scaly area.
- May ulcerate or fail to completely heal.
- Grows slowly, usually on areas that are often exposed to the sun.
- SCC
- A thickened, red scaly spot that may bleed easily, crust or ulcerate.
- Grows over some months, usually on areas often exposed to the sun.
- More likely to occur in people over 50 years of age.
- Develop a regular habit of checking your skin for new spots and changes to existing freckles or moles.
