Checking your skin
Get to know your skin by checking it regularly. That way you can notice any changes that could mean skin cancer. This is especially important as you get older, particularly if you are over the age of 50.
If you are concerned about any skin changes you should see your doctor.
What to do
Make sure you check your entire body, including skin not normally exposed to the sun. You should use a hand-held mirror or ask for help from someone else to check difficult areas, such as your back and neck.
It’s important to check areas like your armpits, inner legs, ears, eyelids, hands and feet. Check your scalp by using a comb to move hair aside.
Melanoma: What to look for
Look for any new spots or existing spots, freckles or moles that have changed in colour, shape or size. Often melanomas have an unusual shape or colour or a variety of colours. However, in some cases they may not be coloured.
Sometimes melanomas may be itchy or may bleed. Some may become raised quickly and catch on clothing.
Some types of melanoma develop over a period of weeks or months, while others tend to develop more slowly.
Nodular melanomas are a type that grow rapidly and need to be removed urgently. They are most often found on the head and neck and in older people, particularly men. They are raised, firm and often uniform in colour. Among those who develop melanoma, nodular melanomas occur more often in Māori and Pacific peoples compared with Asian peoples and New Zealand Europeans.
If you are concerned about any skin changes you should see your doctor.
Read more: Melanoma: Information for you, your family, whānau and friends (PDF, 474KB) (New Zealand Guidelines Group)
Read more: What does skin cancer look like? (SunSmart Australia website)
Non-melanoma skin cancers: What to look for
Squamous cell cancer (SCC) often appears as a raised, crusty, non-healing sore. It is often found on hands, forearms, ears, face or neck of people who have spent many years outdoors. SCC on the lips and ears has a high risk of spreading, so if you have a spot on your lips or ears, see your doctor immediately. SCC can be life threatening if untreated.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) appears as a pale, red or pearly, smooth lump, usually on the face or neck. BCCs are the most common and least serious forms of skin cancer (as long as they are treated).
There are other skin changes that are not cancer. Some of these are a sign of sun damage and show that you are more likely to develop skin cancer.
If you are concerned about any skin changes please see your doctor.
Read more: What does skin cancer look like? (SunSmart Australia website)