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What are the red flags for concerning skin lesions?

<keypoints> - **ABCDE rule** for melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variation, Diameter >6 mm, Evolution (the most important sign) - **Nodular melanoma** can be missed by ABCDE: look for **EFG** (Elevated, Firm, Growing), especially rapid growth over weeks - **Non-healing sore or lesion** persisting >several weeks is a key red flag across all skin cancer types - **Bleeding, oozing, or crusting** without trauma is among the most concerning warning signs - A **new mole appearing in adults** (especially after age 25) or a mole that looks **different from all others** ("ugly duckling" sign) should prompt assessment </keypoints>

Melanoma

The ABCDE criteria remain the primary framework:

Feature	What to look for
A Asymmetry	One half doesn't match the other
B Border	Irregular, ragged, notched or blurred edges
C Colour	Multiple shades: brown, black, red, white, blue within the same lesion
D Diameter	>6 mm or increasing in size
E Evolution	Any change in size, shape, colour, elevation; itching, bleeding, crusting

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What are the red flags for concerning skin lesions?

See sources cited

Check for signs of skin cancer | Cancer Council Australia
Develop a regular habit of checking your skin for new spots and changes to existing freckles or moles. ## How to check your skin ## What to look for There are three main types of skin cancer: melanoma (including nodular melanoma), basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. ## Melanoma ### Nodular melanoma ## Basal cell carcinoma ## Squamous cell carcinoma The ABCDE of melanoma detection can be a useful guide when checking your skin. ## ABCDE melanoma detection guide ### A is for
[PDF] Melanoma Prevention and Early Detection
E Evolution Changing in size, shape, colour, elevation or another trait (such as itching, bleeding or crusting). This last point is likely the strongest of all of the warning signs. Please note that this is just a guide and melanoma may present with different characteristics. Seeking advice from a professional is therefore important. Photographing your moles Several smartphone apps allow you to photograph your skin and set reminders for skin checks. They can be really helpful for keeping track o
How Do I Know If It's Melanoma? - Molemap Australia
Moles usually emerge in childhood and adolescence, and change in size and colour as you grow. New moles can also appear at times when your hormone levels change, such as during pregnancy. They can appear anywhere on your body, alone or in groups. The appearance of a new mole or spot, or a change in an existing freckle or mole, can be an early sign of a melanoma.1 The change may be in asymmetry, borders, colour or size (see A,B,C,D above) and normally occurs over several we
Early Skin Cancer Symptoms & Signs: When Should You Go for Skin and Mole Checks? – ILUKA MEDICAL CENTRE
| Melanoma | The most serious form of skin cancer. Warning signs are rapid change in colour, size, or thickness, irregular borders, and unusual colours like white, blue, or black. Nodular melanoma symptoms appear within two weeks, with “puffiness” or raised texture. | Appear anywhere on the body, including under nails or inside the mouth (rarely). Can arise from an existing mole or develop as a new lesion. | [...] ## What is the Skin Cancer? Skin cancer arises when skin cells grow abnormally
Melanoma | Cancer Council Australia
Melanoma is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, and it is estimated that one in 17 people will be diagnosed by the time they are 85. Australia, along with New Zealand have the world's highest incidence rate of melanoma. ## Melanoma signs and symptoms Often melanoma has no symptoms, however, the first sign is generally a change in an existing mole or the appearance of a new spot. These changes can include: Other symptoms include dark areas under nails or on membranes lining
[PDF] A B C D E - Melanoma Patients Australia
EVOLUTION is the most important of the ABCDE warning signs. A spot that has changed in size, shape, colour, elevation or another trait.
Learn About the Early Signs of Melanoma | Detection, Prevention and Images
### Survival From 2015 to 2019, individuals diagnosed with Melanoma had a 94% chance of surviving for five years. Between 1990–1994 and 2015–2019, five-year relative survival increased from 90% to 94%. These statistics underscore the advancements in diagnosis and treatment, offering a positive outlook for melanoma patients. (Melanoma of the skin statistics | Cancer Australia. (2023). Canceraustralia.gov.au.) ## Prevention is key. Given Australia and New Zealand’s high incidence rates of Melan
What Does Skin Cancer Look Like? A Guide to Early Detection | Advantage Skin Clinic
### What are the ABCDE warning signs of melanoma? The ABCDE rule stands for Asymmetry (uneven shape), Border (irregular or blurred edges), Colour (multiple shades or uneven colour), Diameter (larger than 6mm, though smaller melanomas exist), and Evolving (any change in size, shape, colour, or symptoms over time). If a mole or spot meets one or more of these criteria, have it examined by a doctor. ### When should you see a doctor about a suspicious mole or spot? See a doctor if a spot is new a
Recognising Skin Cancer on the Nose: Signs & Treatment
### 8. Change in a mole A change in an old mole could indicate melanoma. See the'abcde' technique to learn more about melanoma symptoms. ### 9. A new spot or growth This could be a precancerous spot such as actinic keratosis (sunspot), which can indicate sun damage. ## How to check for skin cancer on the nose The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better your chance of avoiding a potentially disfiguring surgery. Look for changes to the colour, size and shape of existing mo
[PDF] 'SKIN CHECKS' FOR MELANOMA IN AUSTRALIA
professional during a clinical consult; typically, this is a general practitioner or a dermatologist.33-37 Any suspicious lesions identified during the consult can be monitored using serial imaging approaches or surgically biopsied for a histopathological diagnosis. Skin checks can be used to detect melanoma in both screening and surveillance settings (Box 3). It is recommended that a naked-eye examination is supplemented by dermoscopy,33-37 which is the use of a hand-held magnifying device (a d
General practice registrars use of dermoscopy
4. Askew DA, Wilkinson D, Schluter PJ, Eckert K. Skin cancer surgery in Australia 2001–2005: The changing role of the general practitioner. Med J Aust 2007;187(4):210–14. 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01201.x. Search PubMed:210%E2%80%9314.%2010.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01201.x.) 5. Van Rijsingen MC, Hanssen S, Groenewoud J, van der Wilt GJ, Gerritsen MJ. Referrals by general practitioners for suspicious skin lesions: The urgency of training. Acta Derm Venereol 2014;94(2):138–41. doi: 10.2340/000
[PDF] Sampling suspicious pigmented lesions | RCPA
When a lesion is clinically suspicious for melanoma, an excisional biopsy with a 2mm margin of normal skin and a rim of subcutis is recommended. This may not