What should you know about melanoma appearance?

A concerning mark may be different from the other moles around it. It can have an asymmetrical shape, an irregular or blurred border, more than one shade, or a noticeable change in size or surface. Some melanomas are pink, red, or skin-coloured rather than dark. A mark may itch, bleed, crust, become tender, or develop a firm area, although it may also cause no sensation. These clues guide assessment; they do not prove that a mark is melanoma, and harmless moles can look unusual too.

Inspect your skin in bright light and use a mirror or a trusted person for the back, scalp, and other hard-to-see areas. Keep a dated photograph beside a ruler only as a record of change, without relying on home comparison to settle the diagnosis. Do not scratch, cut, or burn off a lesion. A clinician may use dermoscopy and may recommend surgical excision so tissue can be examined by a laboratory.

Arrange a prompt appointment for a new mark, a mole that is evolving, or a spot that repeatedly bleeds, crusts, or fails to heal. Seek urgent advice if a lesion near the eye causes visual change, significant swelling, or sudden bleeding. Assessment is especially useful when the change is clear in a photograph or noticed by someone who sees the area regularly.

Ask whether dermoscopy is appropriate, whether the lesion needs removal or observation, what change should trigger review, and how to examine the rest of your skin.