Maybe you already have an idea of how skin cancer looks, but what does skin cancer feel like? Although skin cancer lesions may bleed, itch, or cause pain, many cancerous tumors cause no abnormal feelings at all. This is why it’s so important to know the early signs of skin cancer and schedule regular screenings—especially if you’ve noticed a new, abnormal growth on your skin.

Does Skin Cancer Feel Sore?

Visual signs of skin cancer are more reliable diagnostic tools than any sense of pain, but does skin cancer feel sore under any circumstances? It is certainly possible for skin cancer to cause pain, so here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Melanoma may get tender, cause pain, or start to itch as it grows, especially if it is growing near your skin’s nerve endings.
• Other types of skin cancer are even less likely to cause pain than melanoma. These cancerous growths may only cause pain if they grow particularly large.
• In fact, the absence of soreness or pain might give you more cause to worry than the presence of either symptom. If you feel like the sore should be painful, but is not, you should see a doctor at the earliest opportunity.

Even though skin cancer may not hurt, it can (and most likely will) impact your daily life.

Do You Feel Sick if You Have Skin Cancer?

Many skin cancer patients report that they felt no pain or illness whatsoever before they received their diagnosis. Even if you have skin cancer, you might feel completely normal until the disease spreads and starts to impact other organs. Since early detection plays an enormous role in determining outcomes, it’s important to be able to recognize the visual signs of skin cancer and know when to make an appointment.

Common signs of skin cancer include:

• A new, unfamiliar growth
• A mole that is asymmetrical, uneven at its edges, or made up of multiple colors
• A sore or ulcer that either refuses to heal or returns
• A skin patch that itches, bleeds, or increases in size
• A rough, scaly patch on the skin
• A brown or black streak beneath your finger or toenail

A growth that resembles a mole is most likely to be melanoma, while other types of skin growths—if they turn out to be cancerous—are more likely to be a form of common skin cancer. 

For Common Skin Cancer, Ask About Image-Guided SRT

All types of skin cancer are treatable when caught early, and common skin cancer may be treatable with no risk of scarring. If you’re interested in the surgery-free alternative, ask your doctor if Image-Guided Superficial Radiotherapy (Image-Guided SRT) is right for you. While you’re here, learn a little bit about how it works.