Skin Checks

It’s My M.O.T Month, where we’re encouraging you to keep up to date with your health checks. A really important check that we can all do is to look at our skin and see if we notice anything new or unusual.

Here are some things to look out for, according to Cancer Research UK:

• A sore that doesn’t heal
• Ulcers
• Lumps
• Red patches
• Freckles or moles

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. Melanomas can grow on normal skin, or develop from moles. If you have moles, it’s important to check them and notice any changes.

Doctors use an ABCDE checklist of signs to look out for. If you notice any of these signs, talk to your doctor straight away:

• Asymmetrical: Melanomas are likely to have an uneven shape
• Border: Look out for irregular edges that are blurry or jagged
• Colour: Melanomas are often an uneven colour, and may have different shades of black, brown or pink.
• Diameter: Most melanomas are more than 6mm wide, but then can be smaller if diagnosed early.
• Evolving: Melanomas might change in size, shape or colour, or you might notice bleeding or itchiness.

Melanoma in people with black or brown skin may be more difficult to see. The mole may not show any ABCD signs, it may be symmetrical, or it may be pink in colour. It also might be found under a finger or toenail, or on the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.

To find out more, visit:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/skin-cancer/symptoms

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/melanoma/symptoms