Australia and New Zealand have the highest melanoma rates in the world. No one wants to find skin cancer on their body. Yet, discovering melanoma skin cancer symptoms early increases the likelihood of a cure.
Getting to know your skin and what’s ‘normal’ for you can help you to spot changes sooner. Here are a few helpful tips and guidelines to help you check for melanoma signs and symptoms.
The ABCDE guide to the signs and symptoms of malignant melanoma was created by dermatologists in the 1980s. Co-creator of the guide, dermatologist Dr Darrell Rigel, explains: “We were trying to think of a way of describing what early melanoma looks like. Because melanoma is the clear-cut case of a cancer where early detection is key.”
Since its introduction, the guidelines have expanded to include 7 key warning signs of melanoma. When checking your skin, or the skin of your loved ones, look out for the following melanoma cancer symptoms:
Typically, moles are roughly symmetrical. Precancerous or cancerous moles, on the other hand, are more asymmetrical in distribution of colour and pattern. They may be lop-sided, have an unusual shape, or a blurred border.
In normal moles, the borders are round and even. If you notice that the edges are notched, scalloped or blurred — get a professional skin check straight away. You may also notice that the pigment (the colour of the mole) has spread out beyond the borders of the mole.
Moles can vary in colour – that’s quite normal. Most often though, the colour is even. (i.e. one shade of brown). If you notice a mole has different shades of colour (this can include black, brown, tan - even pink, red or blue), it’s best to have it checked out.
When it comes to moles and other skin lesions, size counts – especially when an existing mole increases in size. However, don’t wait for an unusual or new mole to increase in size. Get it checked out straight away.
A benign (non-cancerous) mole is typically stable. If a mole is changing it may be a sign of melanoma. If a mole evolves (changes) in size, shape, or colour it’s important to get it checked out.
Normal (benign) moles are usually smooth and soft. If a mole feels firm, scaly or rough – or if you can feel a hard lump – it may be a cause for concern. A firm, raised lump that is pink, red, brown or black may be a nodular melanoma symptom. Another type of melanoma (albeit rare) that appears as a firm growing lump is desmoplastic melanoma.
Generally, benign moles or skin lesions don’t change. Or if they do, the change happens slowly over several years. In comparison, a nodular melanoma tends to grow quickly. Changes can be seen within days or weeks.
We know that early detection is the best defence against skin cancer. It’s important to regularly scan your skin and look for any spots that are:
Another useful way to spot melanoma is to use the ‘ugly duckling’ method. Look for any mole or spot that stands out or looks different from that of nearby moles. If you spot an ‘ugly duckling’ mole, we recommend you see your GP or seek a skin check or mole check from a MoleMap skin cancer detection clinic near you.
People with fair or very pale skin (particularly those who have a lot of moles and freckles), are most at risk of skin cancer. If you have olive or dark skin, your risk is reduced. But remember, low risk doesn’t mean NO risk. People with darker skin can still get melanoma. In fact, Bob Marley died because of an untreated type of melanoma (acral lentiginous melanoma) on his toenail!
What’s more, those with dark skin may be less vigilant about wearing sunscreen. They may not use sun safe precautions as much as people with pale or freckled skin. Over time, they may expose their skin to a lot more harmful sun damage.
Use the ABCDEFGs of melanoma symptoms, the Scan Your Skin Rule, or the ‘ugly duckling’ mole method to self-check your skin. Also, check out our downloadable Melanoma Self-Check Guide.
Wondering about the best way to examine your skin for changes? Take photographs and compare them at a later date so you can detect anything that has changed or grown. This is exactly what a MoleMap Full Body Mole Check does. It also includes unlimited free spot checks between your annual appointments. If you notice any changes in your skin, you can get them checked out fast for peace of mind.
We know that it can be a bit scary finding a suspicious mole in case it turns out to be melanoma. Melanoma is fast-growing and, if left untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes. Hard or swollen lymph nodes may be a sign of melanoma stage 4 symptoms.
On a more positive note, when the signs and symptoms of melanoma cancer are detected early treatment is almost always successful. In most cases, skin cancer treatment involves surgical removal of the mole and some surrounding skin to ensure the removal of all the cancer cells.
In advanced melanoma, the skin cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In this case, you might notice melanoma symptoms other than moles. According to Cancer Research UK, other melanoma health symptoms may include:
One Australian is diagnosed with melanoma every 30 minutes. What’s more,
95% of melanomas are caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun.
Practising sun safety and getting regular skin checks is the best way to keep your skin healthy.
