If you’ve noticed a new or changing spot on your skin, you may be wondering whether it’s harmless or, potentially, a sign of early stage skin cancer.
The truth is, early stages of skin cancer can vary in appearance depending on the type of skin cancer. However, when you ‘scan your skin’ pay attention to spots that are:
Sore—it may be scaly, itchy, bleeding, tender and might not heal
Changing—look at the size, shape, colour, and texture
Abnormal—or stands out when compared to your other spots and moles
New—has appeared recently
Let’s take a deeper look at the signs of skin cancer, including early stage skin cancer images.
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The top layer of the skin (the epidermis) is made up of skin cells that your body continually produces and sheds.
Simply put, in the early stages of skin cancer these cells turn abnormal and grow uncontrollably. They multiply rapidly and form malignant (cancerous) tumours.
This early stage of skin cancer is important. If changes to the skin are detected during this phase, the likelihood of successful treatment is much higher. Cancer Australia data shows that the five-year survival rate for stage 1 melanoma (this is early stage melanoma skin cancer) is 99.2%. In comparison, the five-year survival rate for stage 4 melanoma drops to 26.2%.
Skin cancer early stages typically start with a change to a freckle or mole. It may be a new spot, or one that changes size, shape, or colour. You might notice a sore that bleeds or won’t heal, or a patch of skin that bleeds or itches. Early stage skin cancer spots can appear as a lump or nodule, an ulcer, or a changing lesion. Skin cancer can even present as rough, scaly patches of skin.
What does early stage melanoma skin cancer look like?
Here, we cover the two most common types of melanoma. (To learn more, see our article on the four types of melanoma).
Superficial spreading melanoma (SSM)
This is the most common type of melanoma, accounting for two-thirds of cases in Australia and New Zealand.
Superficial spreading melanoma is generally found on the arms, legs, chest and back. When you examine your skin, these are the warning signs to look out for.
A new spot, or a change to an existing mole
A flat patch of skin or raised irregular freckle
A freckle that’s growing sideways
A pigmented spot. Colours may include light brown, dark brown, black, blue, grey, pink, red and white
Superficial spreading melanoma is the most common type of melanoma and is generally found on the arms, legs, chest and back.
Nodular melanoma
This is the second most common type of melanoma, accounting for about 15% of melanoma skin cancers in Australia and New Zealand. It can grow more quickly than other melanomas, which makes early detection critical. Signs and symptoms to watch for include:
A dome-shaped, firm lump
Larger size than most moles (often 6mm-10mm or more in diameter)
More often found on the chest, back, head or neck
When growing, can become red rather than brown or black
Bleeding or oozing is a common symptom
Can feel itchy or stinging
Nodular melanoma is the second most common type of melanoma and it can grow more quickly than other melanomas, which makes early detection critical.
What's my skin cancer risk?
Answer six simple questions (takes less than 1 minute) to discover your risk and the right skin check for you.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) accounts for about 70% of non-melanoma skin cancers.
This form of skin cancer often appears as a change in the skin, skin growths, or a sore that doesn’t heal. Basal cell carcinoma can occur in people of any sex or age. However, some people may be at higher risk. (You can check your individual skin cancer risk using our Risk Quiz.)
Symptoms of BCC may include:
Waxy small, raised lesions (papules) with a depressed centre
Ulcer-like appearance or pearl-like and translucent
A tendency to bleed
Red and scaly, oozing or crusted areas
Raised borders
Black-blue or brown areas
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) accounts for about 70% of non-melanoma skin cancers. This form of skin cancer often appears as a change in the skin, skin growths, or a sore that doesn’t heal.
Early stage squamous cell skin cancer pictures
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is less common than BCC, accounting for about 30% of non-melanoma skin cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma often develops on parts of the body that are frequently exposed to UV rays from the sun. This includes the face, lips, ears, scalp), neck, shoulders, backs of hands, and forearms.
Signs of squamous cell carcinoma may include:
A firm, red nodule, that is often sore when you squeeze it laterally
A flat sore with a scaly crust
A new sore or raised area on an old scar or ulcer
A rough, scaly patch on your lip that may evolve to an open sore
A red sore or rough patch inside your mouth
A red, raised patch or wart-like sore on or in the anus or on the genitals
Squamous cell carcinoma often develops on parts of the body that are frequently exposed to UV rays from the sun. This includes the face, lips, ears, scalp), neck, shoulders, backs of hands, and forearms.
The ’ugly duckling’ test and SCAN rule
Seeing pictures of skin cancer early stages can help you to know what *exactly* you’re looking for when doing a DIY skin check.
A simple way to spot skin cancer early stages is to keep the ‘ugly duckling’ rule in mind. Most moles and freckles on your body tend to be the same or similar looking, making it fairly easy to spot an ‘unusual’ mole. If you notice a mole that stands out or looks a bit odd, you might consider it the ‘ugly duckling’.
Another useful method for early skin cancer detection is the SCAN rule, which we mentioned at the beginning of this post. To remind you:
S is for sore
C is for changing
A is for abnormal
N is for new
A simple way to spot skin cancer early stages is to keep the ‘ugly duckling’ rule in mind. Most moles and freckles on your body tend to be the same or similar looking, making it fairly easy to spot an ‘unusual’ mole. If you notice a mole that stands out or looks a bit odd, you might consider it the ‘ugly duckling’.
Being aware of the signs of early stage skin cancer is paramount. To help detect skin cancer early, we thoroughly recommend doing a self-examination of your skin (ideally every 3 months). Don’t forget to also check the skin of your loved ones for early skin cancer symptoms.
But no matter how vigilant you are, the signs of skin cancer are very difficult to see with an untrained eye — especially in the early stages.
That’s why using a regular skin cancer screening service is a wise decision. Our most comprehensive mole check is the Full Body MoleMap. It includes total body photography and proactive skin monitoring and mole plotting to spot changes over time. For people at low risk (with few moles) or who have noticed a new or changing mole, we recommend a Skin Check. (Choose SkinCheck+ if you want the added benefit of total body photography.)
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MoleMap specialises in skin cancer detection, diagnosis, proactive monitoring and treatment. Want the best protection against melanoma and other skin cancers? Get your skin and moles checked early and often at a MoleMap skin cancer clinic.
