Skin cancer does not have one single appearance. It may look like a new mole, a changing spot, a small lump, a dry or scaly patch, or a sore that does not seem to heal. Head and Neck Cancer Australia also lists new spots, persistent lumps, crusty non-healing sores and moles that change in colour, thickness or shape among possible signs of skin cancer.
This variety is why regular skin checks matter. Becoming familiar with your normal moles, freckles and spots can make it easier to notice something new or different.
If you are wondering what skin cancer can look like, the most important thing is not to rely on one photograph or one particular sign. Pay attention to new spots, changes, or anything noticeably different from the rest of your skin, and have concerning changes professionally assessed.
What Can Skin Cancer Look Like?
Skin cancer can appear as a new or changing mole, lump, scaly area, crusted lesion or sore that does not heal. Some skin cancers are strongly pigmented, while others have very little colour.
The three main types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
| Type | What it may look like |
| Melanoma | A new spot or an existing mole that changes in size, shape or colour. It may be brown, black, pink, skin-coloured or contain several colours. |
| Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) | A pale, pink or pearly lump, a flat red or scaly area, or a sore that may bleed, heal and then return. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) | A thickened or scaly area, crusted lesion, growing lump or sore that does not heal. |
According to Healthdirect Australia, early signs can include a spot, lump or scaly area, changes in a mole’s colour, size or shape, or a lesion that becomes crusted, shiny, pale, pink or inflamed. A spot does not need to look dramatic to deserve attention, and small changes that continue over several weeks or months can be important.
Appearance alone cannot tell you whether a spot is cancerous. If a lesion keeps changing, growing, bleeding, crusting, or not healing, a professional examination may be needed to decide whether monitoring or further investigation is appropriate.
What Changes Should You Look For?
When checking skin, focus less on finding a spot that matches a particular photograph and more on identifying something that has appeared, changed or behaves differently from your other spots.
Changes worth paying attention to include:
- A new or unusual spot: Particularly one that continues changing rather than remaining stable.
- A mole changing in size, shape or colour: Changes in a mole occurring over weeks or months should be assessed.
- Irregular borders: The outline may become uneven, notched, blurred or different from the rest of the mole.
- More than one colour: A spot may contain different shades rather than one consistent colour.
- Continued growth: A mole, lump or lesion that keeps increasing in size deserves attention.
- A sore that does not heal: Persistent sores or areas that heal and then repeatedly return should not simply be ignored.
- Bleeding, crusting or irritation: A spot that starts bleeding, crusting, itching or becoming tender without an obvious explanation should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
- A spot that looks different from the others: Sometimes called the “ugly duckling” sign, this means one lesion appears noticeably unlike the person’s surrounding moles or spots.
Cancer Council Australia recommends looking for new moles and changes in size, border, colour, texture or growth when checking your skin. Skin cancer does not always cause pain, so a changing or unusual spot should not be ignored simply because it does not hurt.
Checking Your Skin: What Should You Look For?
Checking skin regularly helps you learn what is normal for you, making new or changing spots easier to recognise. Check your whole body in good light rather than focusing only on obvious sun-exposed areas. Use a full-length mirror, a handheld mirror, or ask someone you trust to help with areas that are difficult to see.
Pay particular attention to areas that are easy to miss:
- Scalp and behind the ears: Part your hair where needed and check around the ears carefully.
- Neck, shoulders and back: Use a mirror or ask someone to help check areas you cannot see clearly.
- Backs of the legs: Check from the thighs down to the heels.
- Hands and feet: Look between the fingers and toes as well as the palms and soles.
- Around and under the nails: Watch for new or changing marks that are not explained by an injury.
When performing a basic check for skin cancer, compare your spots with previous checks and look for anything new, changing or noticeably different. Photos can also help you track changes over time. If a spot concerns you, have it professionally assessed.
ABCDE Guide to Checking Moles
The ABCDE guide is a simple way to notice features in a mole that may need closer assessment. It can help with skin awareness, but it cannot diagnose melanoma.
A – Asymmetry: Do Both Halves Look Different?
Look at the overall shape of the mole. If one half looks noticeably different from the other in shape, colour or structure, it may be worth having the spot checked.
B – Border: Are the Edges Irregular?
Check the outline of the mole. Borders that become uneven, blurred, notched or poorly defined may need closer attention, particularly if they are changing over time.
C – Colour: Are There Several Colours?
Look for uneven pigmentation or more than one colour within the same spot. This can include shades of brown, black, red, pink, blue, white or grey.
Colour variation does not automatically mean melanoma, but a new or changing colour should be assessed.
D – Diameter: Is the Mole Growing?
A diameter of around 6 mm or more is one feature commonly considered when checking a mole, but size should never be used on its own.
Smaller spots can also be concerning if they are growing or changing, so do not wait for a mole to reach a particular size before seeking advice.
E – Evolving: Has the Mole Changed Over Time?
Evolution means a mole is changing rather than remaining stable.
Look for changes in:
- Size: becoming larger
- Shape: developing a different outline
- Colour: becoming darker, lighter or uneven
- Height or texture: becoming raised, thicker or rougher
- Symptoms: starting to itch, bleed, crust or become tender
A mole that has remained unchanged for years and then begins evolving deserves professional assessment.
Not every melanoma follows the ABCDE pattern. Some, including nodular melanoma, may appear as a new, raised or rapidly growing lesion. A suspicious spot should not be ignored simply because it does not match all five ABCDE signs.
Not Every Unusual-Looking Spot Is Skin Cancer
An unusual-looking spot does not automatically mean skin cancer. Many harmless moles, freckles, skin growths, rashes and sun-related changes can look different from the surrounding skin. Even normal moles may vary in colour, shape or border. Cancer Council Australia explains that most moles are harmless, although new or changing spots should still be monitored.
The difficulty is that harmless and suspicious spots can sometimes look similar. If a mole is new, changing or concerning, read Smith Street’s guide on when to get a mole checked by a GP. Online images can help explain general warning signs, but they cannot confirm what a particular lesion is, so professional assessment is the better option when a spot continues to change or causes concern.
When Should You Check Your Skin for Changes?
Regular skin self-checks help you become familiar with your moles, spots, and freckles, so you can spot changes early. The best time to check your skin is after a shower or bath, when your skin is clean and you have good lighting.
How to check your skin for changes:
- Use a mirror to check your face, ears, neck, and scalp (you may need a hand mirror for the back of your head).
- Check your arms, hands, and underarms.
- Check your chest, stomach, and back (use a mirror or ask a partner to help).
- Check your legs, tops and soles of your feet, between your toes, and around your nails.
- Look for any new spots, changes to existing moles, or any skin changes that look different from the rest.
Check your skin monthly. Keep photos of your moles and spots so you can track changes over time. If you notice anything new or changing, book a skin check with your doctor.
Concerned About a New or Changing Spot?
If you have noticed a mole, spot or skin change that is new, changing, bleeding, growing or not healing, it is worth having it professionally assessed rather than trying to identify it yourself.
A skin check can help determine whether the area simply needs monitoring or whether further assessment, testing or referral may be appropriate.
Contact the clinic to arrange a skin cancer check if you have a spot that concerns you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does skin cancer look like in the early stages?
It may look like a new spot, changing mole, scaly patch, small lump or sore that does not heal.
What are the first signs of skin cancer?
Look for new or changing spots, uneven colour or borders, growth, bleeding, crusting or sores that do not heal.
Can skin cancer look like a normal mole?
Yes. Some skin cancers can resemble ordinary moles, especially in the early stages.
Can skin cancer be pink or skin-coloured?
Yes. Skin cancer can be pink, red, pale, brown, black or close to your natural skin colour.
How often should I check my skin?
Check your skin regularly so you can notice new or changing spots. Your doctor can advise how often based on your risk.
When should I get a skin spot checked?
Get a skin spot check if a spot is new, changing, growing, bleeding, crusting, painful, itchy or not healing.
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