4 Ways to Recognize Skin Cancer Symptoms

1. Spot Basal Cell Carcinoma

Doctors recommend that you perform a monthly head-to-toe self-examination for suspicious spots on your skin. You should look for signs of this common form of skin cancer on your chest, back, ears, face and neck. The overwhelming majority of cases of basal cell carcinoma occur in those areas of the body.

The hallmark signs of the presence of this condition are bumps or lesions. Bumpy, basal cell growths are usually white with a waxy consistency and are usually located in your facial region. Lesions usually form on the chest or back and may mimic flesh tones or appear to be brownish. They look like scars that form in an area where there is no history of skin injury.

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What to Look for

This form of carcinoma can be treated effectively if discovered early, and it tends to grow on the hands, arms, neck, ears, face and lips. Especially if you go to tanning salons or have a high degree of sun exposure, you should look for reddish, oblong bumps or crusty lesions that form without explanation.

3. Inspect Your Skin for Signs of Melanoma

Melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer, can occur anywhere on your body but especially on your face or back, and it might even form in benign moles you've had your whole life. If you notice moles on your body changing color, bleeding spontaneously or developing oozing, crusty edges, visit a dermatologist right away.

When performing your monthly self-examination, check for bumps, sores and lesions that are dark, irregularly shaped and shiny or painful to the touch. These growths might have speckles and range in color from brown and red to black and blue. Check the palms of your hands, inside your mouth and nose and your anus or vagina for symptoms of melanoma, as these dangerous tumors can grow in places you might not expect.

4. Don't Overlook Uncommon Forms of Skin Cancer

If you have a compromised immune system or suffer from HIV or AIDS, you're at increased risk of developing Kaposi's sarcoma. You can recognize the symptoms of this relatively rare form of skin cancer by checking for reddish or purple splotches on your skin. Kaposi's sarcoma is a cancer of your skin's blood vessels.

Merkel cell carcinoma, while rare, is dangerous because it can be difficult to spot. Lurking in the scalp or just underneath the skin, this cancer is relatively large--1/4 inch to 2 inches--and will appear reddish, pinkish or blue. Your skin's oil glands, particularly in your eyelids, might host sebaceous-gland carcinoma. This rapidly spreading skin cancer can easily be mistaken for a non-threatening condition, given its brownish, natural appearance and painlessness. Finally, a range of precancerous skin conditions can lead to squamous cell carcinoma. The most common is actinic keratosis, found mainly in light-skinned individuals. These growths, while benign, can soon turn deadly and are defined by uneven, bumpy patches that usually take on a brown or pink color.rn