Skin Cancer Screening & Mole Checks
Knowing what to watch for on your skin — and when to get a mole or spot checked — matters. Here's a clear guide to skin checks and the ABCDE signs.
Most spots are harmless — but checking matters
Use the ABCDE guide to watch for changes
Early detection makes skin cancers far more treatable
Assessed by your doctor, dermatology on the team
Most spots and moles are harmless, but knowing what to look for — and getting changes checked promptly — is one of the simplest things you can do for your skin health. Skin cancers are far more treatable when found early.
What to watch for: the ABCDE signs
When checking a mole or spot, the ABCDE guide is a helpful starting point:
- A — Asymmetry: one half doesn't match the other.
- B — Border: edges that are irregular, ragged, or blurred.
- C — Colour: more than one colour, or uneven colour.
- D — Diameter: larger than about 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser), though smaller spots can still matter.
- E — Evolving: changing in size, shape, or colour, or starting to itch or bleed.
Any new spot that looks different from your others, or a sore that doesn't heal, is also worth having looked at.
Related readingOur dermatology servicesSee how skin care is coordinated within the iCollab team.When to get checked
See a physician if you notice any of the ABCDE signs, a changing or new mole, or a spot that bleeds, itches, or won't heal. If you have many moles, a family history of skin cancer, or significant sun exposure over the years, it's reasonable to discuss your individual risk with your doctor.
How it works at iCollab
Your iCollab family doctor or a walk-in physician can examine a spot of concern and advise next steps. Where specialist assessment is helpful, dermatology is on the iCollab team, so a referral is straightforward and your records stay connected.
Have a concern you'd like looked at?
Book with an iCollab physician, or ask at the walk-in clinic.
A closer look
As you scroll, each part highlights on the diagram. This is general education, not a diagnosis.
Skin surface
A skin check examines spots and moles on the surface for changes in size, shape, colour, or border — the ABCDE signs.
Outer layer
Most skin cancers begin in the cells of the outer layer. Early changes are often subtle, which is why checking matters.
Deeper layers
Some changes can extend deeper over time. Finding things early, before that happens, makes a real difference.
Blood vessels
A new spot that bleeds, won't heal, or looks different from your others is worth getting assessed promptly.
Skin Cancer Screening & Mole Checks — FAQ
How often should I have a skin check?+
Should I check my own skin?+
Do I need a referral?+
More in Dermatology
Educational guides and related care from the iCollab dermatology team.