What should you know about catching melanoma early?

Check for asymmetry, an uneven edge, varied colours, growth, or a mark that looks different from your other moles. Itching, bleeding, crusting, or a sore that does not settle can also warrant review. Melanoma can occur on skin that is not obviously exposed to the sun, so include the scalp, between the toes, soles, nails, and areas covered by hair. A warning sign is not a diagnosis; a clinician may use dermoscopy and arrange a biopsy. Learn more about Melanoma.

Make a note of when you first saw the change and compare it with earlier photographs if available. Arrange a dermatology examination and avoid removing or irritating the lesion yourself. If melanoma is suspected or confirmed, management may include Surgical Excision, a sentinel lymph node assessment, or other Skin Cancer Surgery. Further treatment depends on the examination and pathology findings.

Request prompt assessment for a rapidly changing, bleeding, crusted, or newly appearing pigmented lesion. Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain, sudden swelling, or new neurological symptoms such as weakness, confusion, or a seizure. Follow-up after treatment helps clinicians check the treated site and watch for new concerns.

Ask whether the mark needs dermoscopy or biopsy, what the pathology describes, whether margins are clear, whether lymph-node assessment is relevant, and how often your skin should be checked afterward.