Can you spot the deadly moles from the harmless ones? The skin cancer signs you must never ignore

IF you have spotted a lingering mole or mark somewhere on your skin, it would be smart not to dismiss it.

This is especially the case if it looks a bit odd.

9

Cases of melanoma are projected to reach a record high of 20,800 in Britain this year.

And while not all spots are a cause for concern, it's always worth being over-cautious rather than dismissive.

Figures revealed by Cancer Research UK show rates of melanoma surged from 21 to 28 per 100,000 people between 2007-09 and 2017-19.

The biggest spike has been in the over-80s, with diagnoses soaring by 57 per cent since 2014.

Melanoma frequently starts as a new mole, or a change in mole you already have.

The ABCDE rule can be followed to assess the health of a mole. If your mole falls into the following, it’s worth getting checked:

• Asymmetrical – melanomas usually have two very different halves and are an irregular shape
• Border – melanomas usually have a notched or ragged border
• Colours – melanomas will usually be a mix of two or more colours
• Diameter – most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
• Enlargement or elevation – a mole that changes size over time is more likely to be a melanoma

What are the different types of skin cancer?

There are three major types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Caught early, skin cancer has a good survival rate - 90 per cent if the disease is detected at stage one.

Experts estimate 86 per cent of cases are preventable.

But millions of Brits are putting their lives at risk, by not using suncream using sunbeds.

Exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds is usually why people develop skin cancer.

Dr Kaye says: “In order to prevent all kinds of skin cancer, the best thing you can do is limit your sun exposure and be sure to wear high factor, broad spectrum SPF when you are in the sun.” 

The NHS recommends people use shade, clothing and a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 while exposed to the sun. The most common sign of skin cancer is a change to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin.

Here, we share the symptoms you need to know - to spot the signs of the three most common skin cancers.

Melanoma

When it comes to moles, they are usually about a quarter of an inch in size, evenly coloured brown, tan or black and can be flat or raised.

Some are present at birth, but most appear as children or young adults and once they've developed, they usually stay the same size, shape and colour.

The most important warning sign of melanoma is a new spot on the skin or when a mole changes in appearance.

Superficial spreading melanoma

9

Around 70 per cent of all melanoma cases in the UK are superficial spreading melanomas.

They're more common in people with pale skin and freckles, and much less common in darker skinned people. They initially tend to grow outwards rather than downwards, so don't pose a problem.

However, if they grow downwards into the deeper layers of skin, they can spread to other parts of the body.

Therefore, you should see your GP if you have a mole that's getting bigger, particularly if it has an irregular edge.

Nodular Melanoma

9

Nodular melanomas are a faster-developing type of melanoma that can quickly grow downwards into the deeper layers of skin if not removed.

They usually appear as a changing lump on the skin which might be black to red in colour. Often nodular melanomas grow on previously normal skin and most commonly occur on the head, neck, chest, or back.

A common symptom is bleeding or oozing.

Lentigo maligna melanoma

9

These most commonly affect older people, particularly those who've spent a lot of time outdoors.

They develop slowly over a number of years and appear in areas that are often exposed to the sun, such as the face.

To start with, lentigo maligna melanomas are flat and develop sideways in the surface layers of skin.

They look like a freckle but they're usually larger, darker and stand out more than a normal freckle.

They can gradually get bigger and may change shape and at a later stage, they may grow downwards into the deeper layers of skin and can form lumps.

Basal cell carcinoma

9

9

9

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is sometimes referred to as a rodent ulcer.

The disease affects the outermost layers of cells in the skin.

Around 75 per cent of all skin cancers are BCCs, which are typically slow-growing and almost never spread to other parts of the body.

If treated at an early stage, this form of skin cancer is usually completely cured.

But if they do become more aggressive, BCCs may spread into the deeper layers of the skin and into the bones - which can make treating it more difficult.

Signs of BCCs, include a skin growth that:

• Looks smooth and pearly
• Seems waxy
• Looks like a firm, red lump
• Sometimes bleeds
• Develops a scab or crust
• Never completely heals
• Is itchy
• Looks like a flat red spot and is scaly and crusty
• Develops into a painless ulcer

Squamous cell carcinoma

9

Another form of non-melanoma, skin cancer, is squamous cell carcinoma.

This is a cancer of the keratinocyte cells which are in the outer layer of the skin.

These cells are mainly found on the face, neck, bald scalps, arms, backs of hands and lower legs.

It is the second most common type of skin cancer and may:

• Appear scaly
• Have a hard, crusty cap
• Raised skin
• Tender to touch
• Bleed sometimes

When found early, skin cancer can often be treated successfully. How skin cancer is treated depends on a few factors.

Types of treatment can depend on the type of skin cancer, how far it's spread, where the cancer is and what stage it’s at.

The main treatment for skin cancer is surgery to remove it from the affected area.

Usually, the surgery carried out is minor and carried out under local anaesthetic.

9