If you have a family history of skin cancer, or have concerns about the amount of time that you have spent in the sun over the last several years you may be asking “what does skin cancer look like?” If you have moles or other spots that have appeared over your body in recent years you may be seeking out pictures of skin cancer in order to ease your fears. Learning how to identify the signs of skin cancer may not only help you to recognize problem areas but may also help you to ease your fears.

Pay Attention To Your Skin

One of the first steps that you should take in an effort to learn how to identify the signs of skin cancer is to know your own body; be aware of any freckles, moles, or other colored areas on your body. Ask yourself how long they have been there and make a mental note of what they currently look like. Any mole that has appeared recently should be cause for concern.

By knowing your own skin you will be in a much better position to identify potential skin cancer lesions should they appear.

Learn The ABCDE’s Of Skin Cancer

Understanding the ABCDE’s of skin cancer can help you to readily identify the five signs of skin cancer.
Asymmetry – a common mole will, in general, be round and symmetrical whereas a skin cancer lesion will be asymmetrical. Draw an imaginary line through your mole; if the result on either side is two identical halves then your mole is likely nothing to be concerned about. If you have two different shapes on either side of the line then you should consider a consultation with a medical professional to rule out the possibility of melanoma skin cancer.
Border – the borders of a skin cancer lesion are unlikely to be smooth and even like a common mole will be. They tend to be uneven and have jagged or notched edges.
Color – A common and harmless mole is generally light brown in color and should not change color; skin cancer lesions will appear in a variety of colors – ranging from browns, tans, and even black. Keep an eye out for lesions that appear to change color.
Diameter – Skin cancer lesions tend to be much larger in diameter than moles are; while they are also detectable when much smaller, a mole that grows larger over time is definitely an area for concern.
Evolving – Any change in a mole, mark, freckle, or spot on your body is cause for alarm – whether the change is in shape, size or the color. Additionally, if a mole starts to itch, bleed, or causes you pain then you should immediately consult with a medical professional.

When you consult with a skin cancer clinic you will likely see several pictures of skin cancer compared to the lesions on your own body. Once your areas of concern have been diagnosed you can start to move on to the next step – treatment and the total elimination of any skin cancer that you may have.