How to Recognize Early Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is very common, and early detection plays an important role in successful treatment. Knowing what to look for can help patients seek evaluation before a lesion becomes more advanced.
Common Types of Skin Cancer
The most common types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. These cancers can appear in different ways, and not every suspicious lesion looks dramatic or alarming.
Warning Signs to Watch For
Possible warning signs of skin cancer include:
- A sore that does not heal
- A spot that bleeds easily
- A new growth that continues to enlarge
- A rough or scaly patch
- A lesion that changes in color, shape, or size
- A spot that looks different from others nearby
Melanoma Warning Signs
Melanoma can sometimes develop in an existing mole or appear as a new dark lesion. Irregular borders, multiple colors, enlargement, and noticeable change over time are all reasons to have a lesion examined.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Many skin cancers can be treated very effectively when found early. Delaying evaluation may allow a lesion to grow larger, become more invasive, or require more extensive treatment.
If you notice a new, changing, bleeding, or non-healing spot, it is a good idea to have it evaluated by a dermatologist. Contact our office to set up an evaluation.