5 Pictures That Show You Exactly What Skin Cancer Looks Like
If your skin has any of these warning signs, it’s time to see a dermatologist
Consider this: The American Skin Cancer Society estimates that one in five people will have skin cancer in their lifetime.
In the U.S. alone, over 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are treated annually. For anyone who spends time sweating in the sun, that’s more than a bit unsettling.
Related: 5 Ways to Avoid Sunburn During Outdoor Workouts
The best way to prevent skin cancer is to stay UV-protected and covered up with sunscreen or UPF clothing when you’re outside, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility of developing cancer.
It’s just as important to monitor your skin and note any changes in it; Tim Berger, M.D., a dermatologist at the University of California in San Francisco, says that 60 percent of malignant moles are detected by patients, not dermatologists.
The following skin changes are a sign of skin cancer and are easy to overlook, so if you notice one of these warning signs on your body, visit a dermatologist.
If your insurance doesn’t cover dermatology exams, look for free skin screenings hosted by cancer societies like the Skin Cancer Foundation and organizations like the American Academy of Dermatology.
Skin Cancer Warning Sign: New Moles Over 6 Millimeters in Size
A new freckle or mole on its own isn’t something to panic about, but a new mole that’s over 6 millimeters in size might be an early warning sign of melanoma, the most serious of the skin cancers.
And it’s something you should start monitoring ASAP, no matter the date on your birth certificate: “Melanoma doesn’t strike just one age group,” Dr. Berger warns.
Another sign of a potentially cancerous mole, Dr. Berger says, is that it’s evolving. So even if you don’t suspect any skin problems at the moment, take stock (and photos) of the moles and any skin irregularities that you have so that you have a basis for comparison, for yourself and a dermatologist.
Related: 6 Great Sunscreens That Won’t Come Off When You Sweat
Why it’s easy to overlook: It’s hard to monitor the moles you can’t see—which makes anything growing on your back, neck, or other hard-to-see places dangerous.
Find a buddy or enlist a loved one to regularly check for new moles in these spots.
Skin Cancer Warning Sign: New Moles With Weird Edges
A non-cancerous mole will be symmetrical and have relatively smooth, defined edges, Dr. Berger explains.
If a new mole doesn’t appear to be symmetrical in shape, or has rough edges, get it checked out. However, it’s also a red flag if a new mole presents with blurred edges that fade into the skin.
Why it’s easy to overlook: Depending on your eyesight, everything might look blurry close-up.
Beyond that, if you’re prone to freckles, you might be desensitized to seeing spots on your skin with undefined edges.
Skin Cancer Warning Sign: New Moles That Are Abnormally Colored
Moles should be somewhere between brown and tan, says Dr. Berger, or slightly pink.
Anytime a mole is black, red, white, or blue, that’s reason enough for a check-in with a dermatologist. It’s also a bad sign if a mole is a mix of brown and tans—a mole should be uniform in color.
And what might be an innocently colored mole on you could be a dangerous mole on someone else; the lighter you complexion, the lighter your moles are likely to be.
Related: Wearing This Could Help Prevent Sunburns
Why it’s easy to overlook: If you have crazy tan lines, it can be extremely easy to miss a mole that’s changing color—after all, your skin is getting darker, so why wouldn’t a mole?
But that mole should be staying the same uniform color regardless, says Dr. Berger, so if you notice anything discolored, that’s a huge warning sign.
Skin Cancer Warning Sign: Elevated Bump or Wart-like Growth
If you have a bump that presents as a small blister—a clearish bubble of skin—that’s over 6 millimeters in size, and hasn’t disappeared in six weeks, Dr. Berger says that’s another warning sign worth checking out.
These bumps might even bleed a bit, and are more frequent on the neck and face. The same is true for a new wart-like growth or sore that isn’t healing.
Either may be squamous cell carcinoma, a treatable form of cancer that most often appears from chronic sun damage. These types of growths might also signal basal cell carcinoma—a rare type of skin cancer, but one to watch out for.
Related: How to Avoid These Gross Medical Mishaps
Why it’s easy to overlook: If you’re an athlete or someone who works outside, you’re probably used to the odd breakout or ingrown hair thanks to sweaty, slightly dirty skin, open pores, and blisters.
But what might seem like acne or a small blister when it first develops could be more problematic—keep an eye on pimples, and if they don’t respond to at-home treatment after a few weeks, it’s time to check in with a doctor.
Skin Cancer Warning Sign: Scaly Patches
That scaly patch on your arm might be nothing more than dry skin, but if it’s a spot larger than 6 millimeters and is present for more than six weeks, don’t ignore it. That’s another warning sign of basal cell carcinoma, which will often be a single lesion.
If you have a lot of these spots, then it’s likely just a rash.
Related: 10 Skincare Must-Haves For Summer Workouts
Why it’s easy to overlook: Dr. Berger notes that burning bad enough to see peeling skin makes you much more likely to develop skin cancer, but a peeling sunburn can also mask scaly patches indicating that you already have skin cancer developing.
And what you might think is dry skin (from too much chlorine in the pool, or too much time running in the heat), could be more insidious. So even if you think it’s just a peeling burn, get it checked out if it lasts a few weeks.
The article 6 Skin Cancer Warning Signs That Are Easy to Overlook originally ran on Bicycling.com.
Reasons Your Face is Swollen
How to Stop Your Night Sweats, According to Doctor
What to Know About Joel Embiid and Bell's Palsy
A Day in the Life of Ford’s Top Engineer
