Skin Cancer: Easy to See, Easy to Treat — When Caught Early

Yes. It is less common in darker skin, because melanin offers some protection — but it does occur, and is often diagnosed late precisely because it is unexpected. In darker skin it tends to appear in less sun-exposed places — the soles, palms, under the nails, or on old scars and wounds — so it is worth checking these areas. This under-recognised pattern is exactly why early awareness matters so much in India.

Most moles are harmless. Use the ABCDE rule — Asymmetry, an irregular Border, more than one Colour, a Diameter over about 6 mm, and Evolving (changing) — and see a doctor about any mole that is changing, a sore that will not heal, or a new dark streak under a nail. A quick check, and if needed a small biopsy, gives a clear answer.

No. Caught early — while it is thin and has not spread — melanoma is highly curable with surgery. And advanced melanoma, once very hard to treat, is now often controlled for years with immunotherapy and targeted therapy. The earlier it is found, the better the outlook, which is why checking changes early matters so much.

Often not — many skin cancers are painless, which is why they are easy to ignore. A basal cell cancer may just be a spot or sore that will not heal; a melanoma may simply be a changing mole. Do not wait for pain — it is change, not pain, that matters.

Usually not. Most skin cancers are removed with minor surgery, and techniques that spare healthy tissue — including Mohs surgery for some facial cancers — give good cosmetic results. Where a larger area is removed, reconstruction restores appearance. Your team plans treatment with both cure and appearance in mind.

There are three main types. Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest, grows slowly, rarely spreads and is almost always curable. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second commonest, can spread if neglected but is highly curable when caught early, and in India can arise on old scars, burns or long-standing wounds. Melanoma is less common but the most serious, because it is more likely to spread — so early detection matters most here.

Acral melanoma is a type of melanoma that appears on the soles, palms or under a nail. It is not caused by sun exposure, and it is the type most often seen in people with darker skin. Because it can look like a mole, a bruise or a fungal nail, it is easily missed and often found late — so any new or changing dark spot or streak on the feet, hands or nails is worth having checked.

It can, though it is uncommon. Squamous cell cancer can sometimes develop on an old scar, a healed burn, or a wound or ulcer that has not healed for a long time. If a long-standing scar or wound starts to change — growing, developing a lump, bleeding or not healing — it should be examined by a doctor.

The biggest cause of basal cell, squamous cell and most melanomas is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds. Other things raise risk too: fair skin and a history of sunburn, many or unusual moles, a weakened immune system (including after an organ transplant), old scars or burns, older age, and a family history of skin cancer. Importantly, acral melanoma on the soles, palms and nails is not caused by sun at all.

Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Sun protection prevents most of it — seek shade, wear covering clothing and a hat, use sunscreen, avoid the midday sun, and never use tanning beds. Because skin cancer is usually visible, a simple monthly self-check — including the palms, soles, between the toes, nails and scalp — helps catch it early. Regular checks matter most if you have had skin cancer before or have a weakened immune system.

The ABCDE rule is a simple way to check a mole for warning signs of melanoma. A is for Asymmetry (one half unlike the other); B is for an irregular Border; C is for Colour (more than one colour, or uneven); D is for Diameter (bigger than about 6 mm, or growing); and E is for Evolving (any change over time — in size, shape, colour, or new itching or bleeding). Any of these is a reason to have the mole looked at — most turn out to be harmless.

Diagnosis starts with a skin examination, often using a dermatoscope (a special magnifier), and a biopsy — taking a small sample of the spot to examine under the microscope — confirms whether it is skin cancer and which type. For melanoma, the nearby lymph nodes may be checked (sometimes with a sentinel lymph node biopsy), a PET-CT may be used to see the extent, and molecular testing (such as BRAF) guides treatment for advanced disease.

For most skin cancers, surgery to remove the cancer with a margin of healthy skin is the main and often the only treatment needed. Radiation therapy is an option for some basal and squamous cell cancers, or when surgery is not ideal. For advanced melanoma, immunotherapy and targeted therapy (guided by molecular testing such as BRAF) have transformed outcomes. Reconstruction is used where a larger area is removed, and your plan is personalised to your type, stage and situation.

Mohs surgery is a specialised, tissue-sparing technique used for some skin cancers — particularly on the face and other cosmetically sensitive areas. The cancer is removed in thin layers, each checked under the microscope, so that as little healthy tissue as possible is taken while removing all of the cancer. At CION it is carried out in coordination with our dermatology / dermatologic-surgery colleagues.

Yes — this is one of the most hopeful stories in cancer care. Advanced melanoma was once very hard to treat, but immunotherapy (which harnesses your own immune system) and targeted therapy (which acts on specific molecular changes, guided by BRAF testing) now control many advanced melanomas, sometimes for years. This is why molecular testing and a specialist team assessment are so valuable.

Most skin cancers do not need chemotherapy — they are treated with surgery, and sometimes radiation. For advanced melanoma, modern drug treatment is usually immunotherapy or targeted therapy rather than traditional chemotherapy, because these work better for melanoma. Your medical oncologist will explain exactly what, if anything, is recommended for your situation.

It varies widely — an early skin cancer is often removed as a minor day procedure at modest cost, while advanced melanoma needing immunotherapy costs more. It is best given as an indicative range after assessment. Eligible treatment may be covered under Aarogyasri or PMJAY at empanelled centres. Use the cost estimator on this page for an indicative figure, then request a callback for an accurate estimate.

Eligible skin cancer treatment may be covered under Aarogyasri and PMJAY at empanelled centres, and cost should not delay care. Our team helps check your eligibility and guides you on private insurance and EMI options, so there are no surprises.

Most skin cancer is not inherited, but a family history of melanoma, having many or unusual moles, and certain rare inherited conditions can raise the risk. If skin cancer — especially melanoma — runs in your family, it is worth mentioning to your doctor and being extra careful with sun protection and regular skin checks; genetic counselling can help where relevant.

A simple self-check about once a month is a good habit — get to know what is normal for you, so you notice change. Look over your whole body, including the areas that are easy to forget: the palms, soles, between the toes, under the nails and the scalp. See a doctor about anything new, changing or not healing. If you have had skin cancer before or have a weakened immune system, more regular professional skin checks are advisable.