Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas vary greatly in appearance. Always show any lesion that is itching, bleeding, growing, or changing in any way to a qualifed physician. These types of cancers can appear as:

A nodule or bump with a pearly, rolled border and a few small blood vessels on its surface. One or more nodules that can be red to purple, white, skin-colored, pigmented or pink that may or may not have a pit or ulceration on its surface and that may or may not form a crust. A slightly elevated firm, yellowish area with an ill-defined border that may or may not be ulcerated. One or several red, scaly patches with or without ulceration and/or crusting. Bands of brownish nodules A crusted group of nodules A sore that bleeds or does not heal in 2-4 weeks. A white patch that looks like scar tissue.

Malignant melanoma is usually signaled by a change in the size, shape or color of an existing mole or as a new growth greater than 6 mm in diameter on normal skin. The American Cancer Society has developed the ABCD Criteria as an easy to remember guideline for self-examination for malignant melanoma.

• A=Asymmetry. The shape of one side of the lesion does not match the other.
• B=Border. The margins are notched, ragged or blurred, rather than smooth.
• C=Color. The color is uneven and variegated, containing some or all of these colors: blue, black, brown, tan, gray, red and white.
• D=Diameter. The lesion has changed in size or has a diameter greater than 6 mm across (about the size of a pencil eraser).

Other important characteristics that raise suspicion are ulceration, bleeding or any change in sensation such as itching – any lesion that has any history of change warrants a biopsy to make a definitive diagnosis.

It’s important to remember that you and your dermatologist should get to know you skin. You should examine it regularly from your scalp to the soles of your feet and routine examinations with a board certified dermatologist are an important part of the screening process. If you notice any unusual changes on any part of your body see a qualified physician immediately.