Overview
Skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma (slow growing, rarely spreads), squamous cell carcinoma (faster growing, can spread) and melanoma (the most serious, but highly curable when caught early).
Risk is increased by fair skin, sunburns, sunbed use, many moles, a family history of melanoma and immunosuppression. Most concerning lesions are the ones that are new, changing or different from your other moles.
When to seek urgent medical help
- • Rapidly growing, bleeding or ulcerated lesion - seek assessment immediately
- • A dark line or change under a nail without injury
- • A lesion your doctor advises needs urgent (2-week) referral
Symptoms and signs
- Asymmetry, irregular border, more than one colour or diameter over 6mm
- A mole that is changing in size, shape, colour or sensation
- A new lesion appearing after the age of 30
- A sore or scab that does not heal within 4-6 weeks
- A pearly, shiny bump with visible small blood vessels
- Itching, bleeding or crusting in an existing mole
Management and treatment
Assessment is based on close-up photographs, history of change and your personal risk factors. Suspicious lesions need urgent in-person review with dermoscopy and, where indicated, biopsy or excision.
ChatDoc provides a rapid doctor review of your photos with a clear risk assessment and, when required, a written recommendation for urgent referral so you can act without delay. Photo review does not replace face-to-face dermoscopy for high-risk lesions.
Prescription treatment options
Doctor photo review and risk assessment
Structured evaluation of your lesion against recognised criteria with a clear plan.
Urgent referral guidance
Written advice supporting a two-week-wait dermatology referral when features are suspicious.
Monitoring plan
Photo-based monitoring schedule and self-examination instructions for low-risk lesions.
Sun protection and prevention advice
Personalised UV protection strategy to reduce future risk.
Any prescription is issued only after a doctor has reviewed your case and considers the treatment safe and appropriate for you.
Your online Skin Cancer Check assessment
- 1
Tell us about your concern
Share symptoms, past treatments, medicines and relevant health information.
- 2
Upload clear photos
Upload photos of your concern where applicable.
- 3
Doctor reviews your case
Technology helps organise your answers, but every assessment and prescription decision is made by a doctor, who may message you if they need more information.
- 4
Get your personalised plan
A personalised prescription is issued if treatment is clinically appropriate.
Prognosis and outlook
Melanoma detected early has an excellent prognosis, with five-year survival above 95% for thin lesions. Basal cell carcinoma is almost always curable with local treatment.
Outcomes depend heavily on how quickly a changing lesion is assessed, which is why prompt review is worthwhile even when the lesion turns out to be harmless.
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This page is general medical information and does not replace a personal consultation. Always seek urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms. ChatDoc is not an emergency service. Call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) for life-threatening emergencies or 111 for urgent non-emergency help. Do not wait for an online reply.