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Free skin cancer checker online — no install, no signup. Upload a photo of a mole, spot, sore or scab and get AI screening guidance in under 30 seconds using the ABCDE method (melanoma, BCC, SCC). Not a diagnosis.ScanSkinAI is a free skin cancer checker online — no install, no signup, no app required. Upload a photo of a suspicious mole, spot, sore or scab and get AI screening guidance in under 30 seconds. The tool applies the ABCDE method and highlights visible warning signs for melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It does not diagnose skin cancer — a clinician must confirm any diagnosis.
ScanSkinAI works as a skin cancer photo checker — upload a photo of any suspicious spot and the AI returns screening guidance in seconds.
Take a well-lit photo of the concerning skin spot using your phone or computer.
Our AI skin analysis analyses the image for signs of melanoma and other skin cancers using pattern recognition.
Receive a clear risk level with guidance on whether you should see a dermatologist.
As a free skin cancer checker, this tool helps screen for:
The most dangerous form of skin cancer
Slow-growing but very common
May spread if untreated
Precancerous sun-damage lesions
This tool is helpful if you notice:
If the concern is a mole, use our dedicated mole analysis tool instead.
Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
~100%
5-year survival for Stage 1 melanoma (Cancer Research UK)
Delayed detection greatly increases treatment complexity.
Many dangerous lesions start as small, subtle changes.
Online skin cancer screening helps you decide faster whether professional evaluation is necessary. Early action saves lives.
A scab that doesn't heal within 2-4 weeks could be a sign of skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Normal wounds typically heal within this timeframe. If you have a scab that keeps returning, bleeds repeatedly, or won't fully heal, it's important to have it evaluated by a dermatologist.
A persistent sore that won't heal is one of the most common signs of non-melanoma skin cancer. These sores may crust over, bleed, heal partially, then reopen. They're especially concerning on sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, hands, and arms. Don't dismiss a "stubborn sore" as minor—get it checked within 2-3 weeks if it hasn't healed.
The nose is one of the most common locations for basal cell carcinoma due to high sun exposure. A spot on your nose that appears pearly, translucent, bleeds easily, or won't heal could be BCC. These often start as a small, shiny bump that may be mistaken for a pimple but doesn't go away after several weeks. Early detection on the nose is crucial to minimize treatment scarring.
A pearly or waxy bump is a classic sign of basal cell carcinoma. These bumps are often translucent with visible blood vessels, may have a central depression, and can appear pink, red, white, or skin-colored. They typically appear on sun-exposed areas and grow slowly over months or years. If you notice a pearly bump that doesn't go away, see a dermatologist.
Rough, scaly, or crusty patches that don't resolve with moisturizer could be actinic keratosis (a precancerous condition) or squamous cell carcinoma. These patches often feel like sandpaper, may be red, pink, or skin-colored, and typically appear on sun-damaged skin. Actinic keratoses can progress to SCC if untreated, so early evaluation is important.
A spot that bleeds spontaneously without being scratched or injured is a warning sign that should not be ignored. Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers can bleed easily. If you have a spot that bleeds repeatedly, oozes, or crusts over without healing, seek medical evaluation promptly.
The face, scalp, ears, and neck receive the most cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime, making them high-risk areas for skin cancer. Pay special attention to the nose, ears, lower lip, and bald scalps. Regular monitoring of these areas is crucial—any new or changing spots should be checked by a dermatologist.
Understanding the importance of regular screening
Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70 (Cancer Council Australia)
5-year survival for Stage 1 melanoma (Cancer Research UK)
2 people die from skin cancer in the US
Skin cancer diagnoses per day
These warning signs require prompt medical attention
If you notice any of these signs, schedule a dermatologist appointment within 1-2 weeks. For rapidly changing or bleeding lesions, seek care within days.
Understanding the scope of AI screening
Most dangerous form of skin cancer, arising from pigment-producing cells
Most common skin cancer type, usually slow-growing
Second most common type, can spread if untreated
Precancerous skin condition from sun damage
Follow these tips to get the most accurate analysis
Avoid flash which can wash out details
Close enough for detail, far enough for context
Tap on the lesion to focus before shooting
Place a coin or ruler next to the spot
Helps AI assess contrast and context
Smudges can affect image quality
Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early — Cancer Research UK reports near-100% 5-year survival for Stage 1 melanoma
Check suspicious spots from home without waiting for appointments
Get immediate risk assessment and know when to see a dermatologist
Comprehensive reports with clear next steps and recommendations
Photograph the suspicious spot or mole in good lighting with a clear, close-up view
Our AI analyzes the image for signs of melanoma and other skin cancers using pattern recognition
Receive instant risk assessment with clear guidance on whether to see a dermatologist
What to do with your results
Use this skin cancer symptom checker to inform your next step — not to replace it. Seek professional advice on the following timelines.
Aligned with NICE NG12 suspected-cancer guidance.
See a clinician even if an AI screening result appears low risk — if the lesion is changing, bleeding, painful or concerning to you.
Transparency in our AI methodology
Our AI is trained on dermatologist-verified datasets including HAM10000 (Human Against Machine with 10,000 training images) and DermNet, comprising hundreds of thousands of labeled skin lesion images.
We report F1-score, sensitivity (ability to detect true positives), and specificity (ability to avoid false positives). Our model achieves strong performance on test datasets, though real-world performance may vary based on image quality and lesion characteristics.
AI models perform best on images similar to training data. Performance may vary across skin tones, for rare lesion types, and for poor-quality photos. This is why we recommend using AI as a screening support tool rather than a diagnostic replacement.
Common questions about online skin cancer screening
Yes. ScanSkinAI is a free skin cancer checker online — upload a photo of a mole, lesion or skin concern and get AI screening guidance in about 30 seconds. It screens for visible signs associated with melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. It is a screening-support tool, not a diagnostic device, and any concerning result should be reviewed by a clinician.
ScanSkinAI is a screening-support tool, not a diagnostic device. The model is trained on dermatologist-labelled images from public datasets such as HAM10000 and DermNet. Real-world performance varies with image quality, lesion type and skin tone. See our Evidence Base for methodology. Any concerning result should be reviewed by a clinician.
Skin cancer can appear as a new or changing mole, a sore that doesn't heal, a shiny or pearly bump, a rough scaly patch, or a dark streak under a nail. Use the ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter over 6mm, and Evolving appearance. When in doubt, get it checked.
Our AI can detect signs of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and actinic keratosis (precancerous condition). It analyzes multiple visual characteristics including asymmetry, border irregularity, color variation, and diameter.
If you receive a high-concern result, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist within 1-2 weeks. Print or save your results to share with your doctor. Do not panic—high concern means the lesion warrants professional evaluation, not that you definitely have cancer.
Yes, our AI is specifically trained to identify visual signs associated with melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It analyzes the ABCDE criteria (Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution) that dermatologists use. However, definitive melanoma diagnosis requires a biopsy.
For best results: use natural daylight (not flash), hold your camera 4-6 inches from the lesion, ensure sharp focus on the spot, include a small ruler or coin for scale reference, capture surrounding normal skin for comparison, and clean your camera lens before shooting.
AI performance can vary across skin tones. Our model is trained on diverse datasets, but historically, dermatology AI has had less training data for darker skin tones. We recommend all users, especially those with Fitzpatrick skin types V-VI, use this as one tool among regular dermatologist visits.
Seek urgent medical care if you notice: a lesion that bleeds or oozes without injury, rapid size or color change over days/weeks, a sore that won't heal after 3 weeks, severe pain or itching, or multiple warning signs (asymmetry + irregular border + multiple colors). These warrant same-week evaluation.
No. This is a screening support tool, not a diagnostic device. Only a qualified healthcare provider can diagnose skin cancer, typically requiring a physical examination and often a biopsy. Our tool helps you identify spots that may need professional evaluation.
Dermatologists recommend monthly full-body self-exams. Use our tool to check any new or changing spots. High-risk individuals (fair skin, history of sunburns, family history of skin cancer, many moles, or immunosuppression) should also have annual professional skin exams.
Yes, registered users can save scan results to track changes in specific spots over time. Monitoring evolution is crucial—the 'E' in ABCDE—because changing moles are more concerning than stable ones, even if they look unusual.
A dermatologist provides hands-on examination, can use dermoscopy for magnified views, assess your full medical history, perform biopsies, and provide definitive diagnosis and treatment. Our tool offers convenient initial screening to help you decide which spots warrant professional attention.
Yes. Photos are encrypted in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols. Images are not stored permanently unless you choose to save them for tracking. We do not sell your data or share images with third-party advertisers. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
Trust your instincts. If a spot concerns you—especially if it's new, changing, or looks different from your other moles—see a dermatologist regardless of our result. AI screening is a helpful tool, but your observations and a doctor's expertise are invaluable.
ScanSkinAI uses deep-learning neural networks trained on large public and licensed dermatology image datasets. It analyses visual patterns — shape, colour distribution, texture and borders — that correlate with benign versus potentially malignant lesions, similar to what a clinician assesses visually. It does not perform dermoscopy or biopsy.
Yes, you can check as many spots as needed. We recommend checking any spot that looks different from your other moles, has changed recently, is new (especially in adults over 30), or shows any ABCDE warning signs.
Everyone should perform monthly self-exams. Higher-risk individuals should screen more frequently and see a dermatologist annually: those with fair skin, history of severe sunburns, family history of melanoma, 50+ moles, prior skin cancer, or weakened immune systems.
ABCDE is a memory aid for melanoma warning signs: Asymmetry (one half unlike the other), Border (irregular, scalloped edges), Color (varied shades of brown, black, red, white, or blue), Diameter (larger than 6mm, about pencil eraser size), and Evolution (changing in size, shape, or color).
Online screening is an excellent first step for early detection and helps prioritize which spots need professional evaluation. However, it cannot replace a dermatologist's clinical judgment, dermoscopy examination, or the ability to perform a biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
Authoritative sources supporting the guidance on this page · accessed June 2026
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Tips for accurate AI analysis
This page focuses on non-mole lesions. If your concern is different:
General mole assessment: "Is my mole normal?" Track mole changes over time and know when to worry.
Deep-dive ABCDE analysis, melanoma stages, ugly duckling sign. For moles with suspicious features.
General AI skin analysis for 31+ conditions including rashes, infections, and inflammatory conditions.
Monitor lesions with photo comparison. Track if a sore is healing or worsening.
Understanding the signs can save your life
Explore our expert-written guides on skin cancer types, early detection, and prevention strategies.
Identify the most common skin cancer early. Learn about pearly bumps, sores that don't heal, and when to see a doctor.
Recognize scaly patches, raised growths, and other early signs of SCC before they become dangerous.
Sun-exposed areas are highest risk. Learn what to look for on your face, ears, and scalp.
Early detection of skin cancer can save your life. Get a free screening in under 2 minutes.
Recognise the first warning signs of melanoma, BCC, and SCC.
What BCC looks like and when a pearly bump needs checking.
Why a sore that won't heal could be a cancer warning sign.
Melanoma, BCC, SCC — key differences, risks, and what to watch for.
This AI skin cancer checker provides educational risk assessments only and is not a medical diagnosis. Accuracy may vary depending on image quality, lighting, and lesion type. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice and biopsy confirmation.
AI skin analysis → Full platform for skin health screening, monitoring, and expert review.