Spot check: How to tell if a mole could be skin cancer

More than 2000 Australians die from skin cancer every year, but experts say early detection can save your life. Here are the warning signs to watch for.

The laid-back Aussie lifestyle may be all about spending time in the great outdoors, but enjoying the sunshine comes with health risks.

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world and, alarmingly, two out of three of us will face a diagnosis by the time we’re 70.

We also have the highest rate of melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer.

The good news is melanoma can be cured with early detection, and experts say knowing what to watch for is your best chance to treat – and beat – skin cancer.

How does the sun damage the skin?

Head of SunSmart Emma Glassenbury says it’s the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation, not heat, that causes sunburn, premature ageing, eye damage and skin damage.

Because UV cannot be seen or felt, we don’t know it’s damaging our skin until it’s too late.

And the effects are cumulative, building up over years to increase our long-term risk of skin cancer.

“In summer, UV radiation can reach extreme levels, which means just a few minutes outside in the sun without proper sun protection can cause skin damage,” Emma says.

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What does skin cancer look like?

Liverpool Hospital dermatologist Dr Deshan Sebaratnam says skin is one of the most complex organs in the body.

While there are dozens of different types of skin cancer, he says, they fall into three main categories:  

Basal cell carcinoma

“The most common skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, and it looks like a lustrous, pearly patch or lump in the skin,” Dr Sebaratnam says.  

It may ulcerate or fail to heal, and grows slowly in areas exposed to the sun.

Squamous cell carcinoma

“These are fleshy lumps, and often have more scale to them,” he says. 

They grow slowly over months, often on sun-exposed skin, and are more common in people over 50. 

These skin cancers are also prone to bleeding, crusting and ulcerating.

Melanoma 

“This is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer, and it is generally (but not always) darkly coloured,” Dr Sebaratnam says.

A melanoma will usually appear as a new spot or an existing spot that changes colour, shape or size and grows quickly – even on skin not normally exposed to sun.

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How can you tell if a mole is skin cancer?

It’s normal to develop new moles and spots during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, and most are harmless.

However, Dr Sebaratnam says any changes to the shape, colour or size of an existing mole or spot should be checked by your GP.

Red flags include:

• New moles and spots
• Existing moles or spots that change size, colour, or shape
• Moles or spots that becomes raised, lumpy, scaly or ulcerated
• Red moles that are firm and getting bigger
• Moles or spots that itch, bleed, weep or look different from your other moles or spots

Emma says it’s important to regularly check all of your skin – not just the sun-exposed areas.

“Detecting skin cancer early can save your life,” she says.

How to protect against skin cancer

Emma says as we head into summer, it’s important that we all know how to protect our skin against cancer.

“That means being SunSmart and using all five forms of sun protection when the UV level is 3 or above,” Emma says.

Follow these tips to stay safe in the sun:

• Slip on clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
• Slop on SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen – apply it 20 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply it every two hours, or more frequently when sweating or swimming.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed, bucket or legionnaire-style hat.
• Seek shade. 
• Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard for UV protection.

Written by Dimity Barber.