Symptoms of skin cancer
Different types of skin cancer can look different:
Non-melanomas such as a BCC, for example, can start as a small red, pink or shiny lump. SCCs often appear as small scaly or hard areas of skin with a red or pink base.
Melanoma usually starts as a dark spot or mole on your skin. If a melanoma spreads to other parts of your body, you can develop other symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes (glands throughout your body that are part of your immune system).
Symptoms that may indicate skin cancer include any mole or lesion that:
- gets bigger - especially over 7mm (a quarter of an inch) in diameter
- changes shape - look for an irregular edge
- changes colour - if it darkens, becomes patchy or multishaded
- becomes inflamed
- is itchy or painful
- bleeds or is crusty
These symptoms don't necessarily mean you have skin cancer, but if you have any of them you should visit your GP for advice.
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