What Does Skin Cancer Look Like?

Two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70. Most are curable — especially when found early. Here is what BCC, SCC and melanoma typically look like, and the simple rule for when a spot needs professional eyes. The images below are stylised illustrations — real skin cancers vary enormously.

BCC

Basal cell carcinoma — the quiet one

Illustration: a typical nodular BCC — a pearly, rounded lump with a rolled edge and fine blood vessels across its surface. Real BCCs vary widely.

A pearly or shiny lump, often with fine blood vessels visible across it
A sore that heals and breaks down again, or bleeds with minor knocks
A flat, scaly, reddish patch that slowly grows over months
A scar-like, pale area that appeared without injury

BCCs favour the nose, eyelids, ears, cheeks and forehead. They grow slowly and rarely spread around the body — but they keep growing locally, which is why early treatment means smaller surgery. More on BCC treatment.

SCC

Squamous cell carcinoma — the fast one

Illustration: a typical SCC — a raised, scaly, crusted lump on sun-damaged skin, often tender and growing over weeks to months. Appearance varies.

A scaly, crusted lump that grows over weeks to months
Often tender or sore to touch, unlike most BCCs
A thickened, wart-like patch on sun-damaged skin
A non-healing ulcer, especially on the lip or ear

SCCs appear on the most sun-exposed skin — scalp, ears, face, lips, forearms, hands. A minority can spread to lymph nodes, so a rapidly growing tender lump deserves prompt review. More on SCC treatment.

Melanoma

The ABCDE changes

Illustration: melanoma with classic ABCDE features — asymmetry, an irregular notched border, and multiple colours within one lesion. Any changing spot warrants review.

A — Asymmetry: one half doesn't match the other
B — Border: edges that are irregular, notched or blurred
C — Colour: multiple colours — browns, black, red, even white or blue
D — Diameter: larger than about 6 mm, or clearly growing
E — Evolving: any change in size, shape, colour, or a mole that itches or bleeds

Melanoma can also appear as a new dark spot on previously normal skin — and rarely, with little pigment at all. The single most powerful sign is change. More on melanoma surgery.

The rule

When to get a spot checked

Any spot that is new, changing, or won't heal within about four weeks should be examined by your GP or dermatologist. No photograph, website or AI tool can diagnose skin cancer — diagnosis needs a trained clinician, a dermatoscope, and often a biopsy. If a skin cancer is confirmed and surgery is needed, that is where Dr Kim's work begins.

Common questions

Questions patients ask

Can I tell if a spot is cancer without a biopsy?

No — not reliably, and neither can any photo tool. Clinical examination with a dermatoscope, and a biopsy where needed, is the only way to know. See your GP or dermatologist for any spot that worries you.

Do skin cancers hurt?

Usually not — most BCCs and melanomas are painless, which is exactly why they get ignored. SCCs are more often tender. Absence of pain is no reassurance.

How urgent is a suspicious spot?

See your GP within weeks, not months. Most skin cancers grow slowly, but melanoma and some SCCs do not — and every skin cancer is easier to treat when smaller.

The spot is on my face — what happens if it needs surgery?

Facial skin cancers are removed with margins and repaired so that form and function are preserved — Dr Kim's entire specialty. Early treatment keeps both the cancer surgery and the reconstruction small.

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Next step

Enquiries & referrals

Consultations in Sydney CBD and North Sydney. Referrals from GPs, dermatologists and Mohs surgery specialists welcome. Phone 1300 911 151.

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