What does the beginning of basal cell carcinoma look like

Skin cancers can look very different. They might be: 

• a spot or sore
• a lump
• a red or dark patch
• itchy, crusty or bleeding

The earlier a skin cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. So it's important you visit your GP as soon as possible if you notice a change in your skin. 

Looking for signs of skin cancer

Non melanoma skin cancers tend to develop most often on skin that's exposed to the sun.

To spot skin cancers early it helps to know how your skin normally looks. That way, you'll notice any changes more easily.

To look at areas you can’t see easily, you could try using a hand held mirror and reflect your skin onto another mirror. Or you could get your partner or a friend to look. This is very important if you're regularly outside in the sun for work or leisure. 

You can take a photo of anything that doesn't look quite right. If you can it's a good idea to put a ruler or tape measure next to the abnormal area when you take the photo. This gives you a more accurate idea about its size and can help you tell if it's changing. You can then show these pictures to your doctor. 

Basal cell skin cancers

There are different types of basal cell skin cancers. These include:

• nodular basal cell skin cancer
• pigmented basal cell skin cancer
• morphoeic basal cell skin cancer - also known as sclerosing or infiltrating basal cell skin cancer
• superficial basal cell skin cancer

Nodular basal cell cancer

Nodular basal cell cancers can look see through (translucent) and shiny. You can often also see their blood vessels. Sometimes they have a sore (ulcerated) area and it may also have fluid filled sacs (cystic).

Pigmented basal cell cancer

Pigmented basal cell cancers have dark areas, often brown, blue or grey in colour. They can look like warts or sometimes a melanoma.

Morphoeic basal cell cancer

Pronounced mor-fee-ic, this type of basal cell skin cancer may look like a sore area on the skin that doesn’t heal. It might look skin coloured, waxy, like a scar or thickened area of skin that's very slowly getting bigger. You might also see small blood vessels. 

Squamous cell skin cancers

Squamous cell skin cancers can vary in how they look. They usually occur on areas of skin exposed to the sun like the scalp or ear.

Thanks to Dr Charlotte Proby for her permission and the photography.

When to see your doctor

You should see your doctor if you have:

• a spot or sore that doesn't heal within 4 weeks
• a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over, or bleeds for more than 4 weeks
• areas where the skin has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn't heal within 4 weeks, and you can't think of a reason for this change

Your doctor can decide whether you need any tests.