You are in the shower, or getting dressed, or someone points it out to you: a spot on your skin that was not there before or one that looks different to how you remember it. The usual response is to panic a little, talk yourself out of it, then quietly worry for a few days before doing anything. That reaction is normal, but knowing exactly what to do next moves you from uncertainty to answers much faster.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t ignore a suspicious spot, even if it isn’t painful. New, changing, bleeding, itchy, or non-healing lesions should be assessed promptly, as early detection improves treatment outcomes.
- Perform a simple self-check using the SCAN method—look for spots that are Sore, Changing, Abnormal, or New. Regular self-examinations help identify concerning skin changes early.
- Book a professional skin check if you notice anything unusual. A doctor may use a dermatoscope and photographs to closely examine suspicious moles or lesions.
- Finding a suspicious spot doesn’t automatically mean skin cancer. Your doctor may recommend monitoring, a biopsy, or removal to determine whether treatment is needed.
- Continue monitoring your skin after the appointment. Monthly self-checks and routine professional skin examinations help detect new or recurring skin changes as early as possible.
Step 1: Stay Calm, But Take It Seriously
A new or changed spot does not automatically mean skin cancer. Skin develops new moles, freckles and marks throughout life, and most are harmless.
That said, this is not something to shrug off either. The safest approach sits in the middle: take it seriously enough to get it checked, without assuming the worst before you have any answers.
Step 2: Run It Through the ABCDE Rule
Before you book an appointment, it helps to know what to look for. Cancer Australia recommends checking spots against the ABCDE rule:
- Asymmetry: one half of the spot does not match the other
- Border: the edges are irregular, blurred or notched rather than smooth
- Colour: the spot has uneven colour, or a mix of shades like brown, black, red or white
- Diameter: the spot is larger than about 6mm, roughly the size of a pencil eraser (though some concerning spots are smaller)
- Evolving: the spot has changed in size, shape, colour or texture over recent weeks or months
If a spot ticks even one of these boxes, have it looked at properly rather than waiting to see what happens.
Step 3: Book a Skin Check, Don’t Wait Months for Your Usual Check
If you already have a skin check booked a few months from now, waiting until then might seem reasonable, but a suspicious spot deserves its own appointment sooner. Skin cancers, particularly melanoma, can change quickly, and catching something earlier generally means simpler treatment and a shorter recovery.
Delays happen more often than people realise. A qualitative study of Australian cancer survivors, published via the National Library of Medicine, found that a meaningful number of people, including those with skin cancer, delayed seeking medical attention because they misread or downplayed their own symptoms.
If a spot has caught your attention enough to search for advice online, that is usually a sign to act. The next step is simple: book an appointment at a trusted skin cancer clinic where the spot and other parts of your body can be examined properly.
The doctor will inspect the spot with a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying tool that reveals details invisible to the naked eye, and will usually check the rest of your skin while you are there, since many people have more than one spot worth monitoring.
If the spot needs further investigation, your doctor may recommend a biopsy, where a small sample is taken and sent to a lab for testing. It is a quick, low-discomfort procedure done under local anaesthetic.
Step 4: Know What to Expect After Your Appointment
If a biopsy is needed, results generally take 1 to 3 weeks. Try not to read anything into how long the wait feels, as processing time reflects lab schedules, not the seriousness of what is being tested.
Once results are in, you will have a follow-up appointment to go through them. If everything is clear, you may simply be advised on how often to have future checks. If treatment is needed, most non-melanoma skin cancers are removed with a simple excision, while melanoma may require a wider excision or referral to a melanoma specialist.
Get That Spot Checked and Stop Second-Guessing
It’s easy to convince yourself a spot is probably nothing, and sometimes that is true. But self-diagnosis has hard limits. Even experienced doctors rely on dermatoscopes and biopsies rather than a visual guess, so there is no reliable way to be certain from the mirror.
Check it against the ABCDE rule, book a dedicated skin assessment rather than waiting for your next scheduled one, and have it assessed by a professional as soon as you reasonably can. Most spots turn out to be harmless, and for the ones that are not, early action gives you the best possible outcome.
Common Questions About Suspicious Spots
What should I do if I find a new or changed spot on my skin?
Compare it against the ABCDE rule for warning signs, then book an appointment with a doctor for a proper skin assessment. Do not wait for your next scheduled skin check if the spot concerns you now.
How quickly should I get a suspicious spot checked?
As soon as possible, ideally within a week or two of noticing it. Skin cancers can change quickly, and earlier assessment generally means simpler treatment if something is found.
Does a suspicious-looking spot always mean skin cancer?
No. Many new or changed spots turn out to be harmless, such as normal moles, sun spots or benign growths, and a professional skin check is the only reliable way to know for certain.
What happens during a skin check appointment?
A doctor examines the spot, often using a dermatoscope, and checks the rest of your skin for anything else worth monitoring. If needed, a small biopsy sample may be taken for lab testing.
How long do I wait for results after a biopsy?
Most people receive their results within one to three weeks. Your clinic will contact you to discuss the findings and, if needed, outline the next steps for treatment.
