Noticeable changes to the skin, such as the development of a new mole or growth, may be the early warning signs of skin cancer. Understanding how these symptoms look and checking your skin regularly can help you identify this disease in its early stages when it has a higher rate of successful treatment outcomes. Explore how to spot the early signs of skin cancer and see a dermatologist when you have concerns.
Signs of Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
These two types of skin cancer are more common than melanoma but tend to be less severe. If you develop basal cell carcinoma, you may notice:
- – Open sores that fail to heal and may ooze liquid or crust over
- – Pink bumps with low centers and raised edges that are sometimes surrounded by exposed blood vessels
- – Shiny, small red or pink bumps with a pearly surface and occasionally black, blue, or brown spots
- – Itchy, raised red patches of skin
- – Flat and firm yellow or white areas that resemble scars
Squamous cell carcinoma is often associated with:
- – Wart-like growths
- – Open sores that fail to heal and may ooze liquid or crust over
- – Raised lumps with low centers
- – Crusty, scaly, or bleeding red patches
Signs of Melanoma
Melanoma, which is the least common and most severe type of skin cancer, is characterized by changes to existing moles. Each month, check your skin and pay special attention to any moles, keeping the ABCDE framework in mind:
- – A stands for asymmetry, which means that both sides of the mole aren’t even
- – B stands for borders, which may become irregular, notched, or scalloped if melanoma develops
- – C stands for color because cancerous moles may range in tone rather than having a dull brown color
- – D stands for diameter, which should not be larger than a pencil eraser for a healthy mole
- – E stands for evolving, which refers to any change to an existing mole
If you live in the Baton Rouge area, get in touch with the team at The Dermatology Clinic if you notice any of the above symptoms. Call (225) 769-7546 to make an appointment for a skin cancer screening with one of our board-certified dermatologists.