Signs and symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancer

The signs and symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancer vary depending on the type of cancer. Other health conditions can cause the same signs and symptoms as non-melanoma skin cancer. See your doctor if you have any changes on your skin.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, especially the head, face and neck. It can also develop on the central part of the body (called trunk). BCC may look like:

• a sore that doesn’t heal or comes back after healing
• pale white or yellow flat areas that look like scars
• raised and scaly red patches
• small, smooth and shiny lumps that are pearly white, pink or red and may have blue, brown or black areas
• a pink growth with raised edges and indents in the centre
• a growth that has small blood vessels on the surface
• a sore that bleeds
• a growth or area that is itchy

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) usually develops on areas of skin exposed to the sun, but it can also be found on the skin around the genitals and anus. It can develop on the skin of scars, sores, ulcers and burns. SCC may appear on the skin as:

• a sore that doesn’t heal or comes back after healing
• rough or scaly red patches with irregular borders
• raised lumps that indent in the centre
• a growth that looks like a wart
• a sore that is crusty or bleeds easily