If you’ve got a worrying spot or an unusual looking mole, you may have a concern about possible skin cancer. But it can be hard to tell the difference between a harmless blemish and something that might need specialist attention.
Consultant Dermatologist Dr Veronique Bataille is here to help by answering your questions about what to look out for when it comes to skin cancer, how it can be treated and how to protect yourself with some simple measures.
Q: I’ve got a new blemish on my skin that won’t go away – should I be worried?
A: If it’s a spot or blemish that looks unfamiliar and unusual, it’s always a good idea to get it checked by a doctor. Most skin cancers are usually slow growing and highly treatable if caught quickly, but early detection is still important, as some types—particularly melanoma—can spread quickly and become more serious. However, melanoma is far less common than other types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Q: What are the early signs of skin cancer I should look out for?
A: Skin cancer can take many different forms depending on the type, so it’s a good idea to become familiar with your own skin and be aware of any signs of change or unusual developments that won’t go away.
Look out for spots, moles or sores that seem different to others on your skin. You can take a photo with your phone and monitor changes over weeks, as most skin cancers grow slowly. If you notice any that have changed in size, shape, colour or texture or ones that itch, bleed or don’t heal, see a doctor.
Q: Are skin cancers always connected to moles?
A: Many of us assume that skin cancers are always linked to moles—especially in the case of melanoma, where it often is. In fact, the most common types of skin cancer—basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma— are usually unrelated to moles. Symptoms often include a small bump, a red or scaly patch of skin that’s inflamed and may bleed, or a sore that won’t heal.
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer and is more frequently associated with changes to your moles. So look out for a mole that’s changed in size, shape or colour. If it’s bleeding, crusting or painful, this can be a very late sign of melanoma so you should see a doctor immediately.
Q: Is melanoma always connected to moles?
A: Melanoma isn’t always related to moles – it can appear as a new or unusual mark on your skin that has not gone away after a few weeks. It is usually very dark, almost black, but can have a mix of different colours like black, red, grey, white and blue.
Moles are normally shades of brown and tend to have a more even, uniform appearance. In rare cases, melanoma can develop under the nails, appearing as a dark line that gradually becomes thicker and darker over time.
Q: What are the different forms of skin cancer?
A: There are three main forms of cancer: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. Basal cell cancer is by far the most common, accounting for around 65% of all skin cancers, while squamous cell cancer makes up around 20% of all skin cancers.
Luckily, these types are slow growing and rarely spread to other parts of your body. We can usually treat them with a minor surgical procedure, to remove the affected skin. Melanoma is far less common, but unlike BCC or SCC, it can spread quickly to other parts of your body and can be fatal if neglected. Sadly, it causes around 2,300 deaths a year here in the UK.
Q: At what age can you develop skin cancer?
A: Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma most commonly affect people over 50. However, we are now seeing basal cell carcinomas—particularly on the upper body—in younger patients.
The average age for melanoma is 55 years old, so that means that it can develop in younger people too. Having said that, it’s very rare in children, adolescents and before your mid thirties.
Q: What are the common signs of non-melanoma cancers?
A: Non-melanoma cancers can vary greatly in appearance and it can be hard to tell if they are cancer, or another skin condition—for example, a patch of eczema or psoriasis or a dark or inflamed seborrhoeic keratosis. That’s why it’s always important to watch for changes over time and seek expert help if you’re worried.
Common signs of non melanoma skin cancer can include:
- A scab or sore that won’t heal or may bleed
- An inflamed patch of scaly or crusty skin
- A flesh-coloured lump that’s growing
- A ‘crater’ style bump with a pearly rim – like a volcano
Q: I have a lot of moles on my body – should I be worried about melanoma?
A: Many of us have a large number of moles, and around 2% of us will have a lot of moles that are over 5mm in diameter. The majority will not get melanoma and most moles are harmless.
At the same time, it’s true that having a large number of moles can increase your risk of developing melanoma. The key is to regularly check your skin for any changes that seem unusual.
Other factors that can increase your risk of melanoma include having:
- Fair skin
- Light hair or eye colour
- A family history of melanoma or multiple other cancers
- Excessive exposure to the sun in childhood (for those with sensitive skin)
If you’d like to learn more about the symptoms to watch out for, you can visit our information page on melanoma.
Q: How can I tell the difference between a cancerous and non-cancerous mole?
A: Most moles are benign and rarely become cancerous. Monitoring them and becoming familiar with your skin is key in detecting skin cancer, especially when it comes to melanoma.
We always suggest doing a head-to-toe self-check of your skin every three months in front of a full-length mirror, so that can spot anything suspicious.
The ABCDE guide has been developed by experts to help you:
- Asymmetry: One half is different to the other and not round or oval
- Border: irregular borders
- Colour: changes to the colour or an uneven colour
- Diameter: Larger than 6mm
- Evolving: Changing in size, shape, colour or texture; changing symptoms such as itchiness, tenderness or bleeding; or sores that won’t heal
Q: Does skin cancer always appear on areas of skin that have been exposed to the sun?
A: Not always. While most skin cancers—particularly BCC and SCC—usually appear on areas of your skin that are most regularly in the sun, melanoma usually develops on less exposed or unexposed areas, mainly on the legs in women and the torso in men. It can also—in rare instances—appear on the soles of your feet, scalp or under your nails.
Non-melanoma skin cancers are more common on the most exposed areas of your body such as your face, neck, head and arms. If you find anything that is concerning it’s important to see a doctor or specialist as early detection is key, especially in the case of melanoma.
Q: What is mole mapping and how can it help prevent skin cancer?
A: Mole mapping is the latest in cutting edge digital technology that creates a full body record of all your moles. Using the latest in AI technology, our Consultant Dermatologists can use it to track the development of all your moles over time, identify any changes and recommend the removal of suspicious looking growths.
This is important as mole related cancers are nearly always curable if caught in time. A mole map provides a highly accurate and regular record of all your moles, as well as any new skin growths, so that we can pick up any suspicious changes and remove the affected skin well before it becomes more serious.
Q: What happens if my dermatologist finds a suspicious mole or spot?
Skin cancers are almost always highly treatable. We may advise removing the affected skin or mole, with a simple surgical procedure that we usually carry out in our clinic, using a local anaesthetic.
We then send the sample to the laboratory for microscopic analysis to confirm the diagnosis. This may be all the treatment you need, especially if you have a non-melanoma skin cancer. If we think you need further treatment, we’ll arrange a follow up appointment to discuss further targeted measures or more extensive surgery.
Q: How can I protect myself from skin cancer?
A: As we’ve said, regular self checks are one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself. If possible, get someone else to help you—especially for those hard-to-see areas. We also recommend the following:
- Protect yourself from sun exposure, through applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30+), and remember to reapply if you’re swimming
- Avoid getting sunburnt
- Cover up and try to stay out of the sun during the most intense periods of sunlight
- Avoid sunbeds unless you have been prescribed them for a specific skin condition
- See a specialist promptly if you spot anything concerning
Q: Is sun exposure the only risk factor for skin cancer?
A: When it comes to non-melanoma skin cancers it’s certainly important to protect yourself in sunlight and to avoid using sunbeds. Ultraviolet (UV) light from both sources is one of the major causes of these types of skin cancer.
However, experts suggest that sun exposure is not the biggest risk factor in the case of melanoma—genetics is increasingly recognised as playing a key role. If you have a family history of a large number of moles, melanoma, or multiple other cancers, it’s important to be particularly vigilant. Remember to carry out regular self checks and see a specialist if you notice any unusual change in your skin.
Q: Make an appointment at our London clinic
A: If you’re at all concerned about your skin or think you may be in a high-risk group for skin cancer, we’re here to offer our expertise and help. Our Consultant Dermatologists are renowned experts in diagnosing and treating skin cancer and can offer face to face consultations or mole mappings performed by the nurse but analysed remotely by the consultants if urgent. Please email admin@themedicalchambers.com, call 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online.
