Skin cancer is a common type of cancer, which makes it necessary to check for signs and symptoms as early as you can. A skin specialist can check for early signs and symptoms of skin cancer and provide the necessary treatment before the complications become serious.
If you are checking your skin at home and do not know what to look for exactly, we are here to help. This guide will help you let you know what skin cancer feels and looks like in the beginning stage, so that you are well aware and get consultation at an early stage.
What are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?
The most common warning sign of skin cancer is changes in the skin. Early signs of skin cancer include new moles or changes in existing moles, size, shape, or colour.
Sores that don’t heal, and any new spots that are asymmetrical, have irregular borders, or have multiple colours are also early signs. Other symptoms can include a shiny, pearly bump, a rough or scaly red patch, or areas that bleed, itch, or are tender. Here is more valuable information:
- A new mole or a mole that changes colour, size, shape or that bleeds is one of the common and early signs of skin cancer. It is necessary to consult a professional as soon as you can.
- A flat pink or red, or brown coloured patch or bump is also a warning sign.
- Sores that are crusty have a depression in the middle or often bleed.
- A wound or sore that won’t heal or heals but comes back again also needs a specialist checkup.
- A rough, scaly lesion that might itch, bleed and become crusty needs to be examined.
What does Cancer Look Like?
The ABCDE rule helps understand what skin cancer looks like. Here is the rule:
- A: In this one, half of the mole or spot does not match the other half. You need to look for a spot that is not symmetrical; it is a warning sign.
- B: The edges of the spot are irregular, blurred, or poorly defined. Normal moles typically have smooth and even borders, so if you notice anything abnormal in the moles, then consult a skin specialist.
- C: The colour is not uniform and may have different shades of brown, black, tan, or even red, white, or blue. A single mole that has multiple colours is a cause for concern.
- D: The spot is wider than 6 millimetres, which is about the size of a pencil eraser. A lesion larger than this size warrants closer inspection.
- E: The spot is changing over time in size, shape, or colour. A lesion that is new or is changing is a very important sign of potential cancer.
Will I Feel Anything In Existing Moles for Skin Cancer?
Physical sensations like pain or itching can be signs of melanoma developing in an existing mole, but not all skin cancers cause these feelings. In many cases, the most important warning signs are visual changes to the mole itself. But still, here is information that might help:
Physical Sensations to Watch for
While pain or itching in a mole can have other, harmless causes, you should see a dermatologist if the feeling is persistent and has no other clear explanation.
Itchiness can be a symptom of melanoma and other types of skin cancer, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. A mole that becomes painful or tender to the touch can be a late-stage sign of melanoma. However, friction from clothing can also cause a raised mole to become sore.
While an injury can cause a mole to bleed, spontaneous bleeding or oozing from a mole’s surface is a significant warning sign.
A burning sensation in a mole can be a symptom of skin cancer.
Final Thoughts
Your dermatologist is the first to visit for a thorough skin checkup because they are well aware of the signs and symptoms of skin cancer. Changes in moles or the appearance of a new mole are early signs of skin cancer. Burning sensations, bleeding, oozing, painful or tender moles demand an expert checkup.
If you are conducting regular home checks, then you can detect the signs early, but it is essential to keep an expert in touch for guidance. They can perform necessary procedures on time, like Skin lesion removal, before anything becomes serious.
