Skin cancer is common, and the basal cell and squamous cell types are usually very treatable when found early, according to the American Cancer Society. The challenge is that early skin cancer often looks harmless, like a new freckle, a rough patch, or a pimple that never quite heals. This guide explains which skin cancer symptoms deserve a closer look, how they differ by type and skin tone, how to check your own skin, and when to see a dermatologist. It draws on guidance from the American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation, Cleveland Clinic, and MD Anderson.
The most common skin cancer symptoms are a new or changing spot, a pearly or scaly bump, a sore that doesn’t heal, and a mole that breaks the ABCDE rule (asymmetry, irregular border, uneven color, larger diameter, evolving). Many skin cancers don’t hurt. See a dermatologist promptly for anything new, changing, or unusual.
What Are the Most Common Skin Cancer Symptoms?
A new spot, a changing mole, a pearly or scaly bump, or a sore that won’t heal are the most common signs.
Skin cancer may not show clear signs at first, which can delay detection, according to MD Anderson. Watch for:
- A new spot on your skin
- A spot that looks different from the others, sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign
- Changes in size, shape, color, or height of an existing spot or mole
- Itching, scabbing, or bleeding
- A sore that doesn’t heal, or heals and then returns
- A firm, dome-shaped growth that may bleed
- A dark line beneath a fingernail or toenail
These skin cancer symptoms differ by cancer type, and the American Cancer Society cautions that not all skin cancers match the usual descriptions, so any spot that seems off is worth checking.
What Are the ABCDEs of Melanoma and Why Do They Matter?
Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving are five warning signs that help you spot a suspicious mole.
Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer and can spread beyond the skin. The ABCDEs are a simple checklist:
- A – Asymmetry: one half doesn’t match the other
- B – Border: uneven, blurred, or scalloped edges
- C – Color: multiple colors or shades
- D – Diameter: larger than a pencil eraser (about 6 mm), though melanomas can be smaller
- E – Evolving: any change in size, shape, color, or height, or new itching or scabbing
The American Academy of Dermatology advises seeing a board-certified dermatologist if a spot has any of these features. Melanoma can appear on skin that gets a lot of sun or very little, and in women it commonly appears on the legs, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
What Do Basal Cell Carcinoma Symptoms Look Like?
Often a pearly or shiny bump, a flat scar-like patch, or a sore that heals and returns, usually on sun-exposed skin.
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It grows slowly and rarely spreads, but the AAD recommends early treatment so it doesn’t grow deeper into the skin. It often looks like a round, pearly or shiny bump or a raised, scaly patch, and it can also appear as a flat, firm area that looks like a scar, a reddish itchy patch, or a pink or red bump with tiny blood vessels or dark flecks. It usually shows up on the face, neck, ears, arms, legs, and hands, and it can develop in people of all skin tones.
What Do Squamous Cell Carcinoma Symptoms Look Like?
Often a rough, scaly, or crusted bump, a red scaly patch, or a dome-shaped growth that bleeds or won’t heal.
Squamous cell carcinoma usually develops on the head, neck, arms, or shins, though it can also appear on skin that isn’t exposed to the sun. The AAD notes it can develop within an actinic keratosis, a dry, scaly patch that is considered precancerous. Look for a firm bump with a rough top, a sore that doesn’t heal or keeps coming back, or a growth that bleeds easily. Because squamous cell carcinoma can grow and spread more than basal cell carcinoma, have any persistent crusted or non-healing spot looked at.
How Do Skin Cancer Symptoms Look Different on Darker Skin Tones?
Skin cancer can show up on palms, soles, and nails, and squamous cell is the most common type in darker skin tones.
According to the AAD, squamous cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer in people with darker skin tones, and anyone, regardless of skin tone, can develop melanoma. MD Anderson notes that in people with darker skin, melanoma tends to occur on the palms or soles. A dark streak under a nail is another sign the AAD highlights. These skin cancer symptoms are easy to miss because they appear in places people rarely look and may not resemble the classic pictures, so check every part of your skin.
Where on the Body Should You Check for Skin Cancer Symptoms?
Check everywhere, including the scalp, ears, face, hands, nails, palms, soles, and areas that rarely see sun.
Sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, hands, arms, and shins are common sites, but the Skin Cancer Foundation advises looking for anything new, changing, or unusual on both sun-exposed and sun-protected areas. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, such as on a morning exercise routine, pay extra attention to your face, ears, neck, and the backs of your hands.
Does Skin Cancer Hurt, Itch, or Bleed?
It can, but many skin cancers cause no pain, so a painless spot can still be serious.
The AAD says you can have melanoma without feeling any pain or discomfort, and sometimes the only sign is a spot with some of the ABCDEs or a line beneath a nail. Itching, scabbing, or bleeding in an existing mole counts as an “evolving” change. Don’t wait for pain before acting on suspicious skin cancer symptoms.
How Can You Check Your Skin for Skin Cancer Symptoms at Home?
Check your whole body for skin cancer symptoms about once a month in good light with a full-length mirror and a hand mirror.
The American Cancer Society suggests checking your skin about once a month in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror, using a hand-held mirror for hard-to-see areas. A simple routine:
- Examine your face, ears, neck, and scalp (part your hair or use a comb)
- Check your hands, nails, palms, and arms
- Look at your chest, stomach, and, with the hand mirror, your back and shoulders
- Check your legs, feet, soles, and between your toes
- Note any new spot, different from the others, or changing, and take a photo to compare next month
When Should You See a Doctor About Skin Cancer Symptoms?
See a dermatologist promptly for any new spot, changing, unusual, bleeding, or not healing.
Don’t wait to see whether a suspicious spot goes away. The Skin Cancer Foundation advises seeing a dermatologist promptly for anything new, changing, or unusual, and the AAD recommends a board-certified dermatologist for any spot with the ABCDEs. The sooner suspicious skin cancer symptoms are checked, the more options you generally have, and a dermatologist can examine the spot closely and take a small sample (a biopsy) if needed. If you have had skin cancer or precancerous spots before, ask about a regular full-body exam schedule. Skin checks fit into a broader prevention routine, like the screenings in our women’s health guide, our breast cancer awareness guide, and our healthy aging tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the first skin cancer symptoms to appear?
Often a new spot or a change in an existing one. Early signs can be subtle, which is why regular self-checks matter.
Can skin cancer look like a pimple or sore?
Yes. A sore or pimple-like bump that doesn’t heal, or heals and returns, deserves a dermatologist’s attention.
Is a mole that changes always cancer?
No. Most changing moles turn out to be benign, but any change in size, shape, color, or height should be checked.
Key Takeaways
- Look for new, changing, or unusual spots, sores that don’t heal, and pearly or scaly bumps.
- Use the ABCDEs for moles, and check the whole body, including palms, soles, nails, and the scalp.
- Skin cancer often doesn’t hurt, and it can look different on darker skin.
- Monthly self-checks and prompt visits to a dermatologist give you the best chance of catching it early.
Conclusion
Learning what is normal for your skin is the best way to catch skin cancer symptoms early. Check yourself monthly, use the ABCDEs, look in the places you rarely see, and book a dermatologist visit when something is new, changing, or just doesn’t look right. Most basal and squamous cell cancers are very treatable when found early, so acting sooner rather than later makes a real difference. This guide is educational and doesn’t replace a medical exam. For more wellness guides, head back to our homepage.
