Non melanoma skin cancer occurs most often on skin that is exposed to the sun. The symptoms of non melanoma skin cancer may be similar to symptoms of other non cancerous skin conditions. You should show your GP any area of skin that is damaged and does not heal up.

Skin cancers may look like
A spot or sore that does not heal within 4 weeks
A spot or sore that continues to itch, hurt, scab, crust or bleed for more than 4 weeks
Areas where the skin has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn't heal within 4 weeks, and you can't think of a reason for this change.
Basal cell skin cancers look like a small, slow growing, shiny, pink or red lump. They can also look like red scaly patches. If left, basal cell skin cancers tend to become crusty, bleed or develop into an ulcer. They are most common on the face, scalp, ears, hands, shoulders and back.

Squamous cell skin cancers are usually pink lumps. They may have hard or scaly skin on the surface. They may feel tender. They can bleed easily and develop into an ulcer. They are most common on the face, neck, lips, ears, hands, shoulders, arms and legs. Bowen’s disease is a very early form of skin cancer. It usually looks like a red patch and may be itchy. It can appear anywhere on the body, but is most common on the lower leg.