What are the early signs of melanoma?

The most common symptoms of melanoma are:

a new spot on the skin, or a spot that is changing in size, shape or colour
moles that have features of the ‘ABCDE rule’:

Asymmetry: the 2 sides of the mole do not match
Border irregularity: the mole has irregular edges
Colour: the mole is not the same colour throughout
Diameter: the mole is wider than about 6 mm (although some melanomas are smaller than this)
Evolving: the mole has changed in size, shape, colour or texture during the past few weeks or months

a sore that does not heal
itching, scaling, bleeding, oozing, swelling or pain, in or around a mole
spread of pigment from a spot into the surrounding skin.

What causes melanoma?

Exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or artificial sources escalates the risk of melanoma, especially when accompanied by instances of sunburn, notably during childhood.

Factors contributing to increased melanoma risk include:

Unprotected exposure to UV radiation
History of childhood tanning and sunburn
Intermittent, intense UV radiation exposure patterns
High mole count (over 50 on the body and over 10 above the elbows on the arms
Presence of unusual moles
Compromised immune systems
Morphological changes in moles, such as irregular shape, elevation or itching/bleeding

Additional symptoms may involve dark areas beneath the nails or mucous membranes like the mouth, vagina, or anus.

While it’s normal for new moles and spots to emerge and evolve during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy, adults developing new spots or moles should promptly seek examination by a doctor.

References:

https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/melanoma/symptoms-and-diagnosis

https://www.aimatmelanoma.org/melanoma-101/types-of-melanoma/cutaneous-melanoma/acral-lentiginous-melanoma/#:~:text=Warning%20signs%20of%20ALM%20include%3A&text=a%20nail%20streak%20that%20has,or%20palm%20of%20the%20hand

https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/types-of-cancer/melanoma