Benign skin spots that can look like skin cancer: What’s normal, what’s not, and when to get checked

Rather than focusing only on what a spot looks like, it is more helpful to pay attention to how it behaves.

A skin spot should be checked if it:

• Is new in adulthood and continuing to change

• Changes in size, shape, colour, or texture

• Bleeds, crusts, or becomes sore without a clear cause

• Looks very different from your other spots

• Causes concern, even if you cannot explain why

You do not need to work out what the spot is. Noticing change and seeking assessment is enough.  

Seborrhoeic keratoses can vary widely in appearance. Occasionally, they become irritated, inflamed, or darker, which can make them difficult to distinguish from skin cancer without proper assessment.

If a lesion thought to be a seborrhoeic keratosis is new, changing, bleeding, or behaving differently from others, it should be examined by a professional.

Cherry angiomas are benign collections of small blood vessels in the skin. They are extremely common and often increase in number with age.

They usually look like:

• Small, round red, purple, or burgundy spots

• Smooth-surfaced and well defined

• Only a few millimetres in size

• Most commonly found on the trunk, arms, or legs

Many people search for a new red spot on their skin and worry that it could be cancer. On their own, cherry angiomas are harmless.

Not every red lesion is a cherry angioma. A red spot should be checked if it:

• Grows  

• Has irregular borders or mixed colours

• Bleeds without injury

• Looks different from other red spots on your skin

Assessment is about reassurance as much as detection.

Skin tags are another very common benign skin growth. They tend to form in areas of friction such as the neck, underarms, groin, or under the breasts.

They are typically:

• Soft and flesh-coloured

• Attached by a narrow stalk

• Smooth rather than scaly

• Slow growing

Skin tags are not skin cancer and do not turn into skin cancer.

If a lesion assumed to be a skin tag becomes pigmented, bleeds persistently, or changes quickly, it should be checked. When there is uncertainty, professional assessment is always preferable to self-diagnosis.

One of the most effective ways to detect meaningful change is to have a baseline record of your skin. Knowing what has been present for years makes it much easier to identify new or evolving lesions.

Learning how to check your skin regularly also helps you notice changes earlier.

Most skin spots are benign. However, early detection of skin cancer significantly improves outcomes.

If you notice a spot that is new, changing, symptomatic, or simply concerning, a professional full body skin check can provide clarity and peace of mind.

Can benign skin spots look like skin cancer?

Yes. Many benign lesions, such as seborrhoeic keratoses and cherry angiomas, can resemble skin cancer. Change over time is often more important than appearance alone.

Are seborrhoeic keratoses dangerous?
No. Seborrhoeic keratoses are benign and very common. However, if a spot is new or changing, it should be checked to confirm the diagnosis.

Should I worry about a new red spot on my skin?

Most small red spots are benign, such as cherry angiomas. Red spots that grow, bleed, or look unusual should be assessed.

Can a skin tag be cancer?

Skin tags are benign and do not turn into cancer. If a lesion bleeds, darkens, or changes rapidly, it should be examined.

When should I book a skin check?

You should book a skin check if a spot is new, changing, bleeding, sore, or concerning to you, even if you are unsure why.

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^{This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical assessment.}

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