What are the initial signs of skin cancer?

Variable: It really depends on the type of skin cancer. But in general watch for new lesions that are larger than the size of an eraser head, irregularly shaped, have irregular color, bleed, cause pain, itch, or rapidly growing.

Skin cancer: Any spot on your skin that appears quite different from any other spots,and stands out from the rest of your skin, or changes in size,shape,color or ulcerates and/ or bleeds should be examined by your physician or a dermatologist.

Changing lesions: Lesions that are most concerning for cancer are non healing and frequently bleed or crust. Cancers such as basal cell cancers can have overlying vascularity called telangiectasias which are pathognomonic. Melanoma can be asymmetric, have irregular borders, pigment changes, be large in diameter and evolve or change over time.

Non healing sore: The two major malignancies of skin are squamous and basal cell cancers. Both initially start as a small sore of skin which doesn't heal but rather scabs and then loses scab only to reform and show no signs of healing. Over time lesion, not considering transforming melanocytic lesions, the other lesions enlarge. Basal cells rarely metastasize while squamous in time will spread to nodes.

Non healing lesion: One of the most common signs is a lesion that does not heal and constantly bleeds. Other signs that you have to be observing is little blood vessels that surround the lesion, changes in pigmentation, or irregular borders. If you are concern, get it checked by a physician, Hope this helps.