General Information About Skin Cancer Nonmelanoma skin cancer
and actinic keratosis often appear as a change in the skin. Not
all changes in the skin are a sign of nonmelanoma skin cancer or
actinic keratosis, but a doctor should be consulted if changes
in the skin are seen. Possible signs of nonmelanoma skin cancer
include the following: - A sore that does not heal. - Areas of
the skin that are: - Small, raised, smooth, shiny, and waxy. -
Small, raised, and red or reddish-brown. - Flat, rough, red or
brown, and scaly. - Scaly, bleeding, or crusty. - Similar to a
scar and firm. Possible signs of actinic keratosis include the
following: - A rough, red, pink, or brown, raised, scaly patch
on the skin. - Cracking or peeling of the lower lip that is not
helped by lip balm or petroleum jelly. Tests or procedures that
examine the skin are used to detect (find) and diagnose
nonmelanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis. The following
procedures may be used: - Skin examination: A doctor or nurse
checks the skin for b