ONE of the easiest ways to spot skin cancer is using the "ugly duckling rule", experts say.
The simple check lets you identify unusual-looking moles, spots and growths, which are key warning signs of melanoma.
Essentially, if a mole stands out or looks different from others around it, then you should get it looked at by a doctor.
The Skin Cancer Foundation says: "This recognition strategy is based on the concept that most normal moles on your body resemble one another, while melanomas stand out like ugly ducklings in comparison.
"This highlights the importance of not just checking for irregularities, but also comparing any suspicious spot to surrounding moles to determine whether it looks different from its neighbours.
"These ugly duckling lesions can be larger, smaller, lighter or darker, compared to surrounding moles."
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But it's also important to look for isolated lesions as these can be considered ugly ducklings too.
The ABDCE checklist is a handy way to remember what to look for.
- Asymmetry – most melanomas are uneven or irregular in shape
- Border – the edges around a melanoma are likely to be uneven, irregular or jagged
- Colour – melanomas are usually more than one colour (e.g. have different shades such as brown mixed with black, red, pink, white or blue tint)
- Diameter – melanomas tend to be more than 6mm wide
- Evolving – look for changes in the size, shape or colour of a mole
If you notice any of these changes, as well as other unusual marks on the skin that last for more than a few weeks, a mole that tingles or itches, one that crusts or bleeds, or something growing under a nail, visit your GP straight away.
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The earlier you notice that something might be wrong, the better the outcome in the long run.
There are two main types of skin cancer – non-melanoma (which develops in the upper layers of the skin) and melanoma (which develops from a mole).
Around 85 per cent of melanomas are caused by too much ultraviolet radiation – or time spent in the sun.
The number of people in the UK being diagnosed with skin cancer has hit a record high, with a sharp rise among over-55s.
Cancer Research UK said there are 17,500 melanoma cases per year, which could surge another 50 per cent to 26,5000 annually by 2040.
The charity's chief executive Michelle Mitchell described the rise as "alarming" and urged people to take extra care in the sun.
She added: "Melanoma is the UK’s fifth most common cancer, and we know that 86 per cent of these skin cancers could be prevented.
"It’s important to take care in the sun and to contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes to your skin."
Temperatures are expected to hit 32C in some parts of Britain this week, with large areas of the South meeting official heatwave criteria (when locations record at least three consecutive days with daily maximum temperatures meeting or exceeding local thresholds).
The unseasonably warm conditions triggered a yellow heat health alert from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
It warns there will be increased pressure on healthcare services, vulnerable people could be at increased risk of dying, and indoor and outdoor environments could become "very warm".
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To stay safe during hot weather, the NHS recommends:
- Staying out of the heat if you can
- Remaining in the shade between 11am and 3pm if you have to go outside
- Always wearing sunscreen (with an SPF rating of at least 30), a hat and light clothes
- Avoiding exercise or activity that makes you hotter
- Having cold food and drinks
- Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
- Having a cool shower or putting cool water on your skin or clothes
- Keeping your living space cool by closing windows during the day and opening them at night when the temperature has dropped outside
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