Skin cancer comes in all different shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Usually, skin cancers are noticeable when they appear as a new spot on your body or when an existing mole changes in some way. Sometimes, skin cancers can resemble other lesions such as blood blisters, skin tags or sun spots.
Melanoma, one of the more serious types of skin cancer, can be treated successfully when diagnosed early. The first sign of a melanoma is usually the appearance of a new spot on your skin or a change in an existing freckle or mole. The change may be in size, shape or colour that takes place over several weeks or months.
A normal mole usually has an even colour and a smooth edge. A melanoma often has an irregular edge or surface. It may be blotchy with brown, black, blue, red, white or light grey colour.
A freckle or mole that itches, bleeds or becomes larger or irregular in shape may be a melanoma.
Learn more about the symptoms of melanoma.
Nodular melanoma is a highly dangerous form of the disease that can grow more quickly in depth than other melanomas. Nodular melanoma can resemble a blood blister, appearing as a small round lump on the skin.
Melanoma has a higher chance of spreading than non-melanoma skin cancers,but has an excellent prognosis if caught in its early stages.