Dr Justin Perron | Plastic Surgery Blog

Question 1

Can skin cancer look like a pimple?

Accepted Answer

Yes. An early basal cell carcinoma can look like a small pearly or pink bump, much like a pimple. The difference is that it does not clear up. If a spot bleeds, scabs over, seems to heal and then returns, or has not healed within a few weeks, ask your GP to check it.

Question 2

Is skin cancer usually painful?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Cancer Council Australia notes that skin cancers rarely hurt and are much more frequently seen than felt. A squamous cell carcinoma can become tender or sore as it grows, but many skin cancers cause no discomfort at all. A painless spot that is new, changing or not healing still needs checking.

Question 3

How quickly does melanoma grow?

Accepted Answer

There’s no set speed. Some melanomas change slowly over months. Nodular melanoma can grow quickly, sometimes over a few weeks, and it’s often raised, firm and one colour (it can be red or pink rather than dark). Since you can’t tell how fast a spot will change, it’s better to have a new or changing spot looked at soon than to keep watching it yourself.

Question 4

Can you have skin cancer without sun exposure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes most skin cancers, but they can also appear on skin that rarely sees the sun, such as the soles of the feet, between the toes and under the nails. Other risk factors include fair skin, past sunburn, past solarium use, a weakened immune system, family history and some chemical exposures, such as arsenic.

Question 5

What colour is a melanoma?

Accepted Answer

Most melanomas are brown or black, often with more than one shade in the same spot. Some show patches of blue, grey, red, pink or white, and some have little or no pigment at all (amelanotic melanoma). Uneven colour, or a spot that changes colour over time, is a reason to see your doctor.

Question 6

Should I see a GP or a plastic surgeon about a suspicious spot?

Accepted Answer

Your GP or a skin cancer clinic is usually the first stop. They’ll look at the spot and take a biopsy if it’s needed. You may then be referred to a specialist plastic surgeon if the lesion is large or on your face, or if it’s a confirmed melanoma that needs a wider excision and reconstruction.

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