Spring Skin Check in Lismore: What Changes Should You Watch?

As the weather warms and we spend more time outdoors, spring can be a useful reminder to take a closer look at your skin.

Australia experiences high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and cumulative exposure to UV can damage skin over time. Skin cancers can also develop without causing pain or other obvious symptoms, which makes knowing what is normal for your skin particularly important.

A regular self-check can help you notice a changing mole, a new spot or another unusual area. If something looks different or concerns you, a skin check in Lismore with a GP can provide a professional assessment.

Why Is It Important to Check Your Skin?

Skin cancer occurs when abnormal skin cells grow uncontrollably. The three main types are:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
Melanoma

BCC and SCC account for about 99% of skin cancers, while melanoma is less common but is the most serious type because it has a greater potential to spread to other parts of the body.

Skin cancers do not all look the same. Some appear as changing moles, while others may resemble sores, scaly patches or small lumps.

Cancer Council Australia recommends becoming familiar with your skin, so you are more likely to recognise a new or changing spot.

Why Consider a Spring Skin Check?

There is no requirement that everyone has a professional skin check specifically during spring.

However, choosing a particular time of year can be a practical way to build regular skin awareness into your routine.

Spring may be a useful prompt to:

Look closely at existing moles and freckles
Check for spots that appeared since your last self-check
Review areas that received significant sun exposure
Consider your individual skin cancer risk
Prepare for increased outdoor activity and UV exposure

Importantly, you should not wait until spring if you notice something suspicious. New or changing skin lesions should be assessed when you notice them.

What Changes Should You Look For?

Cancer Council advises looking for spots that are new or different from other spots on your skin, as well as changes in existing spots.

Changes worth discussing with a doctor include:

A new mole or spot
A mole that becomes larger
Changes in shape
Changes in colour
An irregular or notched border
A spot that becomes raised
A rough, scaly or ulcerated surface
A sore that does not heal
A spot that becomes itchy, tender or starts bleeding

A spot that simply looks or feels different from everything around it is also worth paying attention to.

The ABCDE Guide to Checking Moles

The ABCDE guide can help identify some features associated with melanoma.

A – Asymmetry

Look at whether the two halves of a mole or spot appear different.

An asymmetrical lesion does not have matching halves.

B – Border

Look for borders that appear:

Irregular
Uneven
Notched
Spreading

C – Colour

Pay attention to uneven or changing colours.

A suspicious lesion may contain several shades rather than one consistent colour.

D – Diameter

Look for spots that are becoming larger.

While size can provide useful information, smaller lesions can still require assessment if they are changing.

E – Evolving

Evolution means change over time.

A mole that changes in size, shape, colour, surface or symptoms deserves attention.

The ABCDE guide is useful, but it should not be treated as a diagnostic test. Not every melanoma follows the classic pattern.

What About a Raised or Fast-Growing Mole?

Some melanomas do not fit neatly within the ABCDE guide.

Cancer Council also describes the EFG guide, particularly for recognising features that can occur with nodular melanoma:

E – Elevated: Is the spot raised?
F – Firm: Does it feel firm?
G – Growing: Is it growing quickly?

Nodular melanomas may appear as raised, firm lesions and can sometimes be red or pink rather than dark brown or black.

A rapidly growing or noticeably changing lesion should be medically assessed even if it does not resemble a stereotypical melanoma.

Does Every Suspicious Spot Look Like a Mole?

No.

One of the reasons regular skin awareness is important is that skin cancer can appear in different ways.

Basal cell carcinoma may appear as a pearly lump or a dry, scaly area that is pale, shiny or pink.

Squamous cell carcinoma may appear as a thickened red or scaly spot, a rapidly growing lump or a sore that fails to heal.

See your GP if you notice a sore that does not heal within a few weeks or an area that repeatedly crusts, bleeds, becomes tender or looks noticeably different from surrounding skin.

Can Skin Cancer Develop Somewhere That Doesn’t Get Much Sun?

Yes.

Skin cancer frequently occurs in areas exposed to UV radiation, but it can occur elsewhere.

Cancer Council recommends checking the whole body, including areas that may receive relatively little direct sunlight.

When performing a self-check, remember areas such as:

Scalp
Behind the ears
Back of the neck
Back and shoulders
Between fingers and toes
Soles of the feet
Under and around nails

A full-length mirror, handheld mirror or help from a partner or family member can make hard-to-see areas easier to check.

What Is Sun Damage?

Most skin cancers in Australia are related to exposure to UV radiation. UV can damage skin cells even when you do not experience obvious sunburn.

The effects accumulate over time.

Signs of sun-damaged skin can include:

Freckling
Sunspots
Changes in pigmentation
Areas of rough or scaly skin
Premature skin ageing

Having visible sun damage does not necessarily mean you have skin cancer, but significant lifetime UV exposure can increase your risk.

If you are concerned about sun damage in Lismore, discuss your individual risk and appropriate skin check routine with your GP.

Who Has a Higher Risk of Skin Cancer?

Anyone can develop skin cancer, regardless of skin tone.

However, risk can be higher if you:

Have fair or freckled skin
Burn easily
Have red or fair hair
Have many or irregular moles
Have previously had skin cancer
Have a family history of skin cancer
Have experienced significant sunburn
Spend substantial amounts of time outdoors
Work outdoors
Have used solariums
Have a weakened immune system

People with darker skin generally have more natural protection from UV radiation due to higher levels of melanin, but they can still develop skin cancer.

How Often Should You Check Your Skin?

There is no single professional skin-check schedule recommended for every Australian adult.

Cancer Council recommends regularly monitoring your own skin and seeing a doctor when you notice a new or suspicious change. People at higher risk should discuss an individual surveillance schedule with their doctor.

Healthdirect advises people who believe they have skin cancer risk factors to discuss professional skin checks with their doctor.

Your GP can help determine how frequently professional checks may be appropriate based on your individual risk.

How Do You Perform a Skin Self-Check?

Choose a well-lit room and take enough time to look carefully at your entire body.

A simple routine can include:

Check your face, ears, neck, and scalp.
Look at your chest, abdomen, and sides.
Examine your arms, hands, and between your fingers.
Check the front and back of your legs.
Look between your toes and at the soles of your feet.
Use mirrors to inspect your back, shoulders, and other difficult-to-see areas.

Taking photographs of moles or spots can sometimes help you recognise changes over time, particularly if you have many moles.

However, photographs and self-checks do not replace professional assessment of a concerning lesion.

What Happens During a GP Skin Check?

During a GP skin check in Lismore, your doctor may ask about:

Previous skin cancers
Family history of melanoma or other skin cancers
Previous sunburn
Outdoor work or recreational exposure
Changes you have noticed
How long a particular spot has been present

Your GP will examine concerning areas and may perform a broader skin examination depending on the reason for your appointment and individual risk.

Doctors may use a dermatoscope, a handheld magnifying instrument that allows skin lesions to be examined more closely.

What Happens If a Mole Looks Suspicious?

A suspicious appearance does not automatically mean a mole is cancerous.

If your doctor believes further investigation is required, they may recommend removing some or all the lesions for examination by a pathologist.

For suspected melanoma, an excision biopsy can provide information about whether melanoma is present and, if so, characteristics such as its thickness.

Depending on the findings, your GP may also refer you to another doctor or specialist for further assessment or treatment.

Should You Use a Skin Cancer Detection App?

A smartphone photograph can be useful for your own comparison of a spot over time, but an app should not be relied upon to diagnose or rule out skin cancer.

Healthdirect specifically advises against using smartphone apps as a substitute for medical assessment because they are not sufficiently accurate for checking skin cancer.

If a spot concerns you, have it assessed by a qualified healthcare professional.

How Can You Protect Your Skin During Spring?

A spring skin check is also an opportunity to review your sun-protection habits.

Cancer Council recommends a combination of protective measures when UV levels require sun protection:

Slip on protective clothing
Slop on sunscreen
Slap on a broad-brimmed hat
Seek shade
Slide on sunglasses

UV radiation can damage unprotected skin throughout much of the year in Australia, not just during very hot weather.

Remember that temperature and UV levels are different. A cool or cloudy spring day does not necessarily mean UV exposure is low.

When Should You Book a Skin Check in Lismore?

Consider booking a skin cancer check in Lismore if you notice:

A new or unusual spot
A changing mole
Changes in size, shape, colour or texture
A spot that looks different from your other moles
A rapidly growing lesion
A sore that does not heal
A lesion that repeatedly bleeds or crusts
Persistent itching or tenderness in a particular spot

You can also speak with a GP about whether regular professional checks are appropriate based on your individual risk factors.

You do not need to wait for a mole to become painful. Skin cancers are often noticed visually before they cause physical symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What changes in a mole should I watch for?

Look for changes in size, shape, colour or texture, as well as irregular borders, rapid growth, bleeding, or itching. The ABCDE guide can help identify changes worth discussing with a doctor, but not every melanoma follows this pattern.

When should I book a skin check in Lismore?

Book an assessment if you notice a new or changing spot, a sore that does not heal, a lesion that looks different from your other spots or any skin change that concerns you. People at higher risk should discuss an appropriate skin-check schedule with their GP.

Does a suspicious mole always mean melanoma?

No. Many moles and skin lesions are benign. However, appearance alone may not reliably distinguish a harmless lesion from skin cancer, so a new or changing spot should be professionally assessed.

Can skin cancer occur in areas that aren’t exposed to the sun?

Yes. Although UV exposure is the major cause of skin cancer, cancers can appear on areas that are not regularly exposed to sunlight. This is why Cancer Council recommends checking your whole body.

How often should I get a professional skin check?

There is no single schedule for every Australian adult. The appropriate frequency depends on individual risk factors. People at higher risk should discuss a personalised skin surveillance plan with their doctor.

What happens during a melanoma check in Lismore?

A GP may review your risk factors, examine your skin, and assess suspicious lesions more closely, potentially using dermoscopy. If a lesion requires further investigation, a biopsy or specialist referral may be recommended.

The Bottom Line

A spring skin check can be a useful reminder to become familiar with your skin before spending more time outdoors. Look beyond moles alone: new spots, changing lesions, non-healing sores, rapidly growing lumps and areas that repeatedly bleed or crust can all warrant medical assessment.

The ABCDE guide can help you monitor moles, but the most important principle is knowing what is normal for your skin and noticing when something changes.

If you notice a suspicious mole, a changing spot or another area that concerns you, consider booking a skin check at Lismore Doctors. A GP can assess the area, discuss your individual skin cancer risk and determine whether further investigation or referral is appropriate.

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