Key Points

· ABCDE rule helps spot suspicious moles early

· High-risk people need extra skin checks

· Take photos and notes of changing spots

· Don’t delay biopsy or referral if unsure

· See a clinician for any new, changing, bleeding or non-healing lesions

Skin cancer can often be cured if it’s found early; this article explains five simple ways to notice trouble spots on your skin and when to get them checked. Here is a patient-friendly summary of those tips and the warning signs that should prompt a visit to a clinician

1. Use the ABCDE rule on moles and dark spots. The ABCDE rule is a quick checklist for concerning moles:

A – Asymmetry: the two halves don’t match

B – Border: edges are blurred, jagged or irregular

C – Colour: several colours or uneven colour (browns, black, red)

D – Diameter: larger than about 5–6 mm or clearly getting bigger

E – Evolution: any change in size, shape, colour, height or new symptoms like itching or bleeding. The “E” (evolving) is especially important

2. Know who is higher risk. Extra attention is important if you have fair skin, many or unusual moles, a personal or family history of skin cancer, weak immune system, lots of sun or tanning bed exposure or bad sunburns as a child. Brief skin checks during routine visits can help.

3. Track suspicious spots over time. Write down when you first noticed a spot and its size, colour, and symptoms, and, if possible, take clear photos with a ruler for scale. Changes over weeks or months can signal trouble.

4. Have a low bar for biopsy or specialist review. Spots that grow quickly, bleed on their own, crust, ulcerate, stay despite treatment, become very firm or painful, or look very different from your other spots should not just be “watched” for months. A skin biopsy or referral to a skin specialist/clinician is often needed.

5. Use teledermatology when access is limited. Sending good-quality photos and background information to a clinician electronically can help decide which spots need an in-person visit sooner rather than later.

Any spot that is new, growing, changing, bleeding, itching, not healing, or just changing colour should be taken seriously and promptly evaluated.

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