How to Spot Skin Cancer: Early Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Dr Alice Rudd completing a skin check
Do you have loads of spots on your skin and no idea where to begin? Your skin is your largest organ, so it’s crucial to get to know it well. At Skindepth Dermatology, we believe in educating and empowering our patients to take charge of their skin health, because early detection of skin cancer can save lives.
Every year, over 2,000 Australians die from skin cancer, but early identification dramatically lowers that risk. Shockingly, only 50% of Australians have examined their skin in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, the average Aussie spends around 20 hours a week in the sun during summer. That’s a lot of UV exposure!
So, it’s time to get familiar with your skin, every part of it. And don’t skip the hidden areas. Skin cancers can develop in unexpected places like the scalp, ears, under the nails, and soles of the feet. Use a hand mirror and check thoroughly,or better yet, book a full skin check at your local skin clinic in Melbourne, such as Skindepth in St Kilda East.
Why Early Detection Matters
There are three major types of skin cancer spots you should know about:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) – the most common type and usually the least aggressive. It often appears as a pearly bump, a flat scar-like mark, or a sore that keeps coming back.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) – more likely to spread than BCC. These can show up as firm red nodules, scaly patches, or raised growths that may crust or bleed.
- Melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer and responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Melanoma may look like a dark mole, a spot with black dots, or an irregular patch that changes rapidly.
Many of our patients discover suspicious spots themselves, and by coming in for a timely skin spot check, they’ve been able to receive fast, effective treatment with excellent results.
Most cancerous spots on skin are found not by doctors, but by patients or their loved ones. Learning what to look for, and acting quickly when something doesn’t seem right, is one of the best ways to protect your health.
Know Your ABCDEs
We recommend using the ABCDE method for spotting signs of potential melanoma:
- A = Asymmetry – Benign moles are typically symmetrical. If you draw an imaginary line through the middle of a mole or spot, both sides should look the same. Cancerous moles, such as melanoma sun spots on skin, often look uneven, with one half larger, darker, or shaped differently than the other.
- B = Border – Harmless moles have smooth, even borders. Spots that are cancerous often have borders that are irregular, jagged, notched, or blurred into the surrounding skin. This uneven outline can be one of the earliest visible warning signs.
- C = Colour – A uniform colour is typical of benign moles. Be alert to moles with black dots, mixed tones, or unusual colours like brown, black, red, or white.
- D = Diameter – While many early stage skin cancer spots are larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), size alone isn’t everything. Some melanomas can be smaller but still dangerous. Always keep an eye on new or growing spots, even if they seem tiny.
- E = Evolution – The most important sign of all. Harmless moles usually stay the same over time. Cancerous skin spots evolve, they may grow, change shape, darken, itch, bleed, or develop new black dots. If you notice any change, even a subtle one, it’s time to get it checked.
When to See a Dermatologist
Even though not every skin spot is dangerous, there are certain changes you should never ignore. Book a professional skin spot check if you notice:
- A new mole or skin spot that wasn’t there before
- A mole that looks different from the rest
- A mole that itches, bleeds, or changes in any way
Early detection gives you the best chance of successful treatment, which is why regular checks with a trusted dermatologist like Dr Alice Rudd at Skindepth Dermatology are so important.
Most skin cancer spots are first noticed by patients themselves, or by a loved one. That’s why it’s just as important to check your family’s skin as it is to check your own. A partner, friend, or family member may spot something on your back, scalp, or behind your ears that you can’t see yourself.
Prevention Tips
While you can’t undo the effects of past sun exposure, you can significantly lower your risk of developing skin cancer spots by following prevention strategies:
- Apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen daily – In Australia, it is recommended to use SPF 50+ for best protection. Apply 20 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours. Explore our Skindepth Suncare Collection for dermatologist-approved options across different textures and SPF levels.
- Use protective clothing and accessories – Choose long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, neck and ears, and sunglasses that meet Australian Standards for UV protection.
- Avoid tanning beds completely – The Australian Government has banned commercial solariums because of their proven link to melanoma and other cancerous spots on skin.
- Perform monthly skin self-checks – Examine your skin from head to toe. Look for new moles, early stage skin cancer spots, or tiny black dots on skin suddenly appearing.
- Schedule professional skin checks – Dermatologists can detect early stage skin cancer spots you might miss.