How to check for skin cancer

Skin cancers found and removed early are almost always curable. If you notice anything about your skin that you feel looks abnormal, or you feel worried about anything on your skin, consult your GP or dermatologist as soon as possible.

7 tips for self-examination

When checking your skin for the first time, you need to do some research on the various types of skin cancers and pre-cancerous skin lesions, as well as what you should be looking out for in terms of new appearances on the skin and things that have been there for a while.

Skin cancers generally don’t hurt – there are more often seen than felt
It is important to get to know your skin and be familiar with what is normal. Know where any moles, birthmarks and other marks are and what they usually look and feel like to you. This way you can easily spot changes
When checking your skin: undress completely, make sure you have good light and use a full length and hand-held mirror or get someone to help you check any hard-to-see places
It is important to check your entire body – that includes the soles of the feet; the palms of the hands; genitals; buttocks; under the breasts; between the fingers and toes; under the nails; the face, neck, ears and scalp
To check your scalp: use a comb or hairdryer to move your hair around so you can see better or ask someone to help you check – they may be able to see better
Raise your arms and check your left and right sides
It is recommended that you check your skin once a month, or if you have been a sufferer of skin cancer previously your doctor may recommend you check more often

Basic warning signs: Moles

The Facts

A normal mole is usually an evenly coloured brown, tan or black spot on the skin
It can be either flat or raised and also round or oval. It is usually less than the size of the top of a pencil
Moles can be there from birth or can appear during childhood or adolescence
Once a mole appears it will usually stay the same size, shape and colour for many years
Most people have moles and almost all are harmless, but it is important to be conscious and spot changes in a mole. This could mean the mole is becoming a melanoma

What is melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body. It mainly develops from a new mole or a change to an existing mole.

Changes to watch out for:

A mole that looks different from your other moles, or a mole, birthmark, beauty mark or brown spot that:

Changes in shape – from a round shape to an irregular shape with one half unlike the other
Changes in size/thickness - is bigger than 6mm or 1/4", the size of the top of a pencil
Varies in colour – changing from one colour to many shades of tan, brown or other colours
Loses colour - appearing pearly or translucent
Looks red or inflamed around the edges
Is an open sore that doesn’t heal or continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab, erode or bleed
Changes in texture – feels different, itchy or painful
Has a new red or darker coloured flaky patch that may be raised
Appears after the age of 21

Other skin changes to look out for

Not all melanomas develop from moles, so it is important to speak to your doctor if you spot other skin changes that are unusual for you. Melanoma can present in a number of other ways including:

A small lump
Flat, red spot
Firm, red lump
A lump or spot that is tender to touch
An ulcer that will not heal
A lump with a scaly or horny top
Rough, scaly patches
A new or changing mole
A new flesh-coloured firm bump

Non-melanoma

Non-melanoma (a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin) often appears as one of the following:

A new growth or sore that does not heal in a few weeks
A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab or bleed
A skin ulcer not explained by other causes

Keeping track

It can be helpful to record your findings and the dates of your skin examinations as it is hard to remember so much detail and thus recognise a change the next time.

Recording your findings on a body map for example could mean the difference between spotting something early or something going unnoticed.

*Information from Irish Cancer Society and NHS