Does skin cancer often occur on the face?
Skin Cancer on Face
- Yes, absolutely. Skin cancer can occur on any part of the skin, and is especially common in areas that get more sunlight, such as the face.
Should I be worried about a mole on my face?
- Moles on the face are very common and many are harmless. However they can sometimes be hard to tell apart from early skin cancer, especially if they are small and have not developed any obvious skin cancer features yet.
- If you have recently noticed a new mole or think that an existing mole may have changed, it is important to get a professional skin check to make sure it is not skin cancer.
What do non cancerous moles on the face look like?
- A common type of benign mole on the face often appears as lumpy raised spot that is either flesh coloured or a uniform darker brown. Usually they have been present for a long time and some have large hairs coming out of them.
What do skin cancer on the face look like?
- The appearance of skin cancer on the face will vary depending on the type of skin cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer:
1. BCC
This is the most common type of skin cancer. They often begin as a small flat pink discoloration on the skin that may appear quite innocent.
Here is an example of an early BCC skin cancer on the face.
This BCC skin cancer on the face was less than 2mm in diameter, detected with high resolution dermoscopy.
As they grow, they can become more raised and pearly. BCCs can also bleed easily due to their fragile surface.
As they grow, they can become more raised and pearly. BCCs can also bleed easily due to their fragile surface.
2. SCC
This usually occurs in people with long-term sun exposure and often develops from rough, precancerous sunspots.
Early SCC skin cancer on the face can often be difficult to distinguish from a precancerous sunspot, but the appearance of a sharp or sore sensation when pressed can be a helpful clue that it has turned cancerous.
Advancing SCC
As these cancers progress, they become much more crusty, sometimes even red and inflamed, and often the soreness worsens.
Melanoma
- This skin cancer is known for its potential to spread. Some people associate this cancer with black and irregular edges. This is not always the case. Others believe that they will bleed and become sore. However, these symptoms may only occur in late stage Melanoma – early forms can look quite different!
- On the face, the appearance of this skin cancer can be quite varied. They often look like early “old age spots” where one part has become irregular. A helpful clue is the appearance of a darker section on one edge, or a mole that appears to be changing.
3. Melanoma
Here is an example of early Melanoma skin cancer on the face.
Pink Melanoma
Although most Melanomas on the face are dark colored, some rarer forms can appear as a firm pinkish red lump.
Here is an example of a “pink/red” Melanoma skin cancer on the face detected at Skin Check WA: