There are many warning signs of skin cancer. These signs may include skin changes, unusual spots, mole changes, bleeding sores, and several more. They may be difficult to spot, and if in doubt, seeking medical care is important. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. More than 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
The warning signs of skin cancer can vary. Some symptoms are easy to spot, while others are more subtle and difficult to detect. If you notice any unusual moles, spots, or marks on your skin, it’s important to visit a doctor. If your doctor suspects skin cancer, they’ll refer you to a dermatologist for testing and diagnosis. Like other types of cancer, skin cancer is easiest to treat if caught early. In this article, we take a closer look at the signs and symptoms of the most common types of skin cancer and how they’re diagnosed. We’ll also look at potential warning signs that skin cancer has spread beyond your skin.
Skin cancer signs to watch for, itchiness or pain in a certain area of your skin that persists or keeps returning, a new or unusual spot or mark on your skin that doesn’t go away, a spot that oozes, bleeds, gets scaly or crusty, or doesn’t heal, a lesion that spontaneously bleeds without being picked at , a mole with redness or swelling beyond its borders, a mole with poorly defined borders , a mole that grows or changes shape or color, a hard lesion that doubles in size in a matter of weeks , itchiness or pain in a certain area of your skin that persists or keeps returning. How is skin cancer diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine the area of concern and ask you about your family history, medical history, and sun exposure. If they suspect skin cancer, they’ll refer you to a dermatologist. A dermatologist can perform a biopsy. During this procedure, they’ll surgically remove part or all of the spot or mole. This tissue sample will then be sent to a lab for analysis. If your test comes back positive, you may need to receive additional tests, like imaging and blood tests, to help identify the extent of the cancer. A lymph node biopsy may be performed to see if it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
