This Is What Melanoma Skin Cancer Looks Like
In the UK around 16,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma each year, making it the fifth most common cancer.
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can appear anywhere on the body but, according to the British Skin Foundation, is most commonly found on men’s backs and women’s legs.
It can develop from existing moles, but in 70% of cases appears as new marks on the skin – as such, experts recommend doing a skin check once a month.
Deaths from melanoma skin cancer in the UK have risen by 150% since the 1970s, according to Cancer Research UK. Although, melanoma is still most common in those aged 65 and over, young people are increasingly at risk – rates for 25 to 49-year-olds have increased by 70% since the 1990s.
What exactly is melanoma?
There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma, which is less common but more serious, as it can spread to other organs in the body; and non-melanoma, the more common type of skin cancer.
Melanoma starts in cells in the skin called melanocyte, while non-melanoma slowly develops in the upper layers of the skin.
Despite it being less common, the potential for melanoma to spread to other parts of the body means it’s responsible for up to 75% of skin cancer deaths.
What does melanoma look like?
The most common symptom of melanoma is a new mole or changes to an existing mole. In most cases, melanomas have an irregular shape and are more than one colour.
It’s helpful to remember the ABCD rule when assessing your moles. Take note if there is:
Asymmetry: the two halves of the area differ in shape.
Border: the edges of the area may be irregular or blurred, and sometimes show notches.
Colour: this may be uneven. Different shades of black, brown and pink may be seen.
Diameter: most melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter. They tend to be larger than your other moles and can sometimes be itchy or bleed.
Some apps let you take photos of your moles to check whether you need to see your GP. With the SkinVision app, for example, you take...
