Skin Cancer: Signs, Risks, and What You Can Do Today

When we talk about skin cancer, a group of abnormal cell growths in the skin that can spread if untreated. Also known as cutaneous malignancy, it’s the most common cancer in India, with cases rising fast due to increased sun exposure and lack of awareness. Unlike other cancers, skin cancer often shows itself clearly—on your skin. That’s both a blessing and a warning. You can see it. But too many people ignore it until it’s too late.

Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer that starts in pigment-producing cells, doesn’t always look like a dark mole. It can be pink, red, or even skin-colored. UV exposure, the main cause of most skin cancers from sunlight and tanning beds is the biggest risk factor, especially in India where people spend long hours outdoors and rarely use sunscreen. People with fair skin, a history of sunburns, or a family history of skin cancer are at higher risk—but no one is immune. Even dark-skinned Indians can get skin cancer, often on the palms, soles, or under nails, where it’s missed until advanced.

Early detection is everything. A mole that changes size, shape, or color, bleeds, or doesn’t heal? That’s not just a blemish. It’s a signal. A skin biopsy, the only way to confirm if a spot is cancerous by removing a small sample for lab testing is quick, simple, and often done in a doctor’s office. Waiting for it to "go away" is dangerous. Skin cancer grows faster than most people think.

Prevention isn’t complicated. Wear a hat. Use sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Check your skin every month. Know your moles. These aren’t suggestions—they’re survival habits. And if you’ve ever had a bad sunburn as a kid, that’s not history. It’s a risk factor you can’t ignore.

The posts below give you real, practical help: what to look for on your skin, how to tell the difference between a harmless spot and something dangerous, what treatments actually work, and how to protect yourself and your family. No fluff. No fearmongering. Just what you need to act before it’s too late.