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Skin Cancer: Types, Early Signs & Pictures

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, and almost all of it is caused by ultraviolet damage. Nearly every case is treatable when it is found early — which makes knowing what to look for the single most useful thing you can do.

Quick answer

There are three main types of skin cancer. Melanoma appears as a new or changing pigmented spot and is the most likely to spread. Basal cell carcinoma looks pearly and translucent and grows slowly. Squamous cell carcinoma looks firm, scaly or crusted and can spread in 2–5% of cases. Any spot that changes, bleeds, or has not healed after four weeks should be examined.

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The three main types of skin cancer

Melanoma

About 1% of skin cancers, but most skin cancer deaths

A new or changing pigmented spot that is asymmetric, has an irregular border and more than one colour. Can also be pink or skin-coloured.

Can spread to lymph nodes and organs — needs urgent assessment

Basal cell carcinoma

The most common cancer in humans

A pearly or waxy bump with fine surface blood vessels, or a sore that scabs, heals and returns in the same place.

Under 0.1% metastasise, but locally destructive if neglected

Squamous cell carcinoma

About 20% of skin cancers

A firm red nodule, a rough scaly patch, or a crusted sore that will not heal on sun-damaged skin.

2–5% metastasise — treat promptly

A fourth condition, actinic keratosis, is precancerous rather than cancer, but is the most common precursor of squamous cell carcinoma.

How to tell them apart

Type	Texture and colour	Growth speed	Spread risk
Melanoma	Pigmented, multi-coloured, irregular; sometimes pink	Months (nodular type: weeks)	High if not caught early
Basal cell carcinoma	Pearly, translucent, fine vessels	Months to years	Very low, but locally destructive
Squamous cell carcinoma	Firm, rough, scaly or crusted	Weeks to months	2–5%
Actinic keratosis	Sandpaper-like rough patch	Very slow, recurring	Precancerous

Early warning signs

For pigmented spots (ABCDE)

Asymmetry between the two halves
Border that is ragged or blurred
Colour that varies within the lesion
Diameter over 6mm
Evolution — any change over time

For non-pigmented lesions

A sore that has not healed in four weeks
A pearly or shiny bump
A rough patch that keeps coming back
A lump that bleeds or crusts repeatedly
Any new growth on the face, ears or scalp

Who is most at risk

Risk factor	Why it matters
Fair skin that burns easily	Less melanin means less natural UV protection.
History of sunburn	Blistering burns, especially in childhood, raise melanoma risk sharply.
Outdoor work or hobbies	Cumulative exposure drives basal and squamous cell carcinoma.
Many or atypical moles	More than 50 moles increases melanoma risk.
Family or personal history	A previous skin cancer strongly predicts another.
Tanning beds	Concentrated UV exposure with no safe dose.
Immunosuppression	Transplant recipients face dramatically higher rates.

Check your own profile with the skin cancer risk quiz or the full set of risk calculators.

How to check your skin

A monthly self-examination takes about ten minutes. Work in good light with a full-length mirror and a hand mirror, and go through the body systematically: face, ears, scalp, neck, chest, abdomen, both sides of the arms and hands, nails, back, buttocks, legs, soles and between the toes.

Photograph and compare

Change is the strongest signal, and it is hard to judge from memory. Photographing spots each month makes evolution obvious.

Prevent what you can

Broad-spectrum SPF 30+, protective clothing, shade at peak UV hours, and no tanning beds. See our sun safety hub.

Frequently asked questions

What does skin cancer look like?

It depends on the type. Melanoma usually looks like a new or changing pigmented spot with an irregular shape and mixed colours. Basal cell carcinoma looks pearly or translucent with fine blood vessels. Squamous cell carcinoma looks like a firm, scaly or crusted lump. Any lesion that changes, bleeds or fails to heal in four weeks should be checked.

What are the three main types of skin cancer?

Melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are collectively called non-melanoma or keratinocyte skin cancers, and are far more common. Melanoma is less common but the most likely to spread.

What is the earliest sign of skin cancer?

Change. A mole that is evolving in size, shape or colour, a new spot that appears in adulthood, a sore that does not heal, or a rough patch that persists in the same place are the earliest practical warning signs.

How do I check my skin for cancer at home?

Once a month, examine your whole body in good light, including the scalp, behind the ears, between the toes, the soles and under the nails. Use a mirror or ask someone to check your back. Photograph moles so you can compare them over time, and note anything that looks different from your other spots.

Is actinic keratosis skin cancer?

No, it is precancerous. Actinic keratosis is a rough, scaly patch caused by sun damage, and an estimated 5–10% of untreated lesions progress to squamous cell carcinoma, so dermatologists usually treat or monitor them.

Can skin cancer be prevented?

Most cases are preventable by limiting ultraviolet exposure: broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen applied generously, protective clothing and hats, shade during peak UV hours, and never using tanning beds. Regular self-checks catch the cases that still occur while they are easiest to treat.

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