Skin cancer symptom ‘people ignore’ that’s not a mole

As the mercury rises across the UK and more Britons head outdoors, a doctor is cautioning that one of the most telling signs of skin cancer is not necessarily a suspicious-looking mole. While most people are aware they should monitor moles for changes, experts warn that certain forms of skin cancer can manifest as pink patches, scaly skin or even what appears to be an innocuous spot that simply won’t clear up.

Dr Asiya Maula, a private GP at The Health Suite, warned that these lesser-known symptoms are frequently overlooked because they don’t match the typical image most people associate with skin cancer.

She said: “When people think about skin cancer, they often picture a dark mole changing shape or colour. While that can absolutely be a warning sign, it’s not the only one.

“Some skin cancers can appear as a pink or red patch, a shiny bump, a scaly area of skin or even a small sore that repeatedly scabs over but never fully heals.”

According to Cancer Research UK, skin cancer ranks amongst the most prevalent cancers in the UK, with cases continuing to climb. Dr Maula noted that one of the most common errors people make is dismissing a mark as harmless simply because it doesn’t appear alarming.

“The lesions that concern me most are often the ones people have ignored for months because they don’t look particularly worrying,” she said. “A patch of skin that remains red, itchy, flaky or slightly sore for weeks deserves attention, especially if it isn’t improving.”

The skin cancer warning signs people often miss

Experts say people should be aware of:

• A sore that doesn’t heal within four weeks
• A pink, red or scaly patch of skin
• A shiny, pearly bump
• A persistent crusty area
• A mole that changes in size, shape or colour
• Any new mark that continues to grow

Dr Maula said: “The key thing is persistence. Skin naturally heals itself remarkably well. If something has been present for weeks or months and isn’t resolving, it’s worth getting checked.”

The warning arrives as much of Britain braces for unusually elevated temperatures this week. While a single weekend in the sunshine won’t directly trigger skin cancer, specialists emphasise that repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation builds up over time and substantially heightens risk.

Dr Maula said: “Many people think of sun damage as something that happens on holiday abroad, but a significant amount of UV exposure occurs in the UK. Gardening, walking the dog, eating lunch outdoors or sitting in the garden all contribute to your lifetime sun exposure.”

Any alteration to the skin that persists, develops or simply doesn’t seem right ought to be examined by a healthcare professional.

Dr Maula said: “Most skin changes turn out to be harmless, but skin cancer is one of the cancers where early diagnosis can make a huge difference. I would always rather someone came in and had a harmless spot checked than delayed seeking advice because they didn’t think it looked like cancer.”

She added: “The important message is not to focus solely on moles. If a patch, bump, sore or mark on your skin is changing or refusing to heal, it deserves attention.”