What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?
What does skin cancer look like? If you can't answer this question, you need to learn how to spot a potentially cancerous growth. Some lesions develop slowly while others suddenly appear, but in either case, if caught early, treatment for skin cancer is more likely to be successful.
The appearance of a growth depends on each type of cancer. Here's what you should look for to spot the three most common types.
Melanoma
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, with the highest fatality rate. Most often melanomas occur on the trunk, head or neck, but they can develop anywhere. Possible signs of melanoma include:
- An otherwise unsuspecting mole that bleeds or changes in size, color or feel
- A small lesion found on your trunk or limbs that has an irregular border along with red, white, blue or blue-black spots
- Dome-shaped bumps that are shiny and firm
- A large brown-colored spot that has dark speckles inside
- Dark lesions found on your fingertips, palms, toes, soles or on the mucous membranes that line your vagina, anus, mouth or nose
Basal Cell Carcinoma
The most common type of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma is the easiest to treat and the least likely to spread. Potential red flags include:
- A flesh-colored or brown flat, scar-like area on your chest or back
- A waxy or pearly bump found on your neck, face or ears
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
While early cancer treatment helps increase all cancer odds, squamous cell carcinoma responds especially well to early treatment. Signs of potential problems include:
- A lesion that's flat with a crusted or scaly surface found on your ears, neck, face, arms or hands
- A nodule that's firm and red found on your lips, ears, neck, face, arms or hands
Less Common Skin Cancers
While it's rare for people to see the following abnormalities, it's still a good idea to know that they are, if seen, red flags that deserve to be looked at by a medical professional.
- Red or purple patches on the skin
- Shiny and firm red, pink or blue nodules that are found just beneath the surface of the skin and in hair follicles
- Hard painless nodules, often found on the eyelid, but possible anywhere
Skin Cancer Articles, Videos & HowTos
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer there is, but it is also one of the most treatable. There are several things that contribute to the development of skin cancer; by learning how to prevent skin cancer throughout your lifetime, you can significantly reduce your risk of getting the disease.
When skin cancer is diagnoses, details and technical terms can leave a patient or loved one in the dark. The stages of melanoma are defined by the size of the tumor and how far the cancer has spread.
Learn to recognize early signs of skin cancer so you can get it treated early. With more than 1 million new cases each year, skin cancer is the leading form of cancer in the United States.
Learning how to prevent skin cancer requires accepting the responsibility of taking care of your skin and your health every single day. Whether the sun is shining or hiding behind clouds, paying attention to skin health is crucial.
Where does skin cancer occur? Skin cancer can pop up anywhere on the skin of your body. Learn how to inspect your face, back, arms and other parts of your body and prevent skin cancer from developing without detection.
What do cancerous moles look like? It might seem like any birthmark could carry the risk of cancer, but you should focus instead on several significant red flags.
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