How quickly does skin cancer appear?

[Lbnc2021]

I’m a bodybuilder so do a lot of posing 😂 I have noticed an itchy lump on my back for about 6 weeks now. I might be on edge because my brother has skin cancer just now. I was also under the impression skin cancer took years to develop but I’m probably wrong. I used sunbeds for about 6 months before lockdown which I bitterly regret now. I’ll try and add pics from over the past 6 weeks. Obviously I’m going to get it checked out ASAP but really just wanted someone to calm my nerves, I don’t want to worry my family atm as they are already worried for my brother

Have you got the pics?

Hi nolovelost, I’m trying to get the pics uploaded

So, are we looking at thebrown mark yeah? The pics aren't very clear, have you had it for6 months and its grown? The impression I get is that skin cancer has irregular edges and can change colour. Also they can be crusty etc. But yes I'd get that checked out.

you noticed a change - get it checked out.
someone needs to look at it with a magnifying glass.

I know, they’re not the greatest pics. I’m not sure if it’s crusty as I can’t reach it and it doesn’t seem to weep, haven’t noticed any pus or anything on clothing, bedding etc. But I’m definitely calling the doctors on Monday. Hopefully it’ll be nothing

I've had skin cancer on my face and mine didn't look like that. Mine was more of a large spot, very large actually that just wouldn't go away. At first I thought it was just a spot, it also changed over time, from being very weepy to being bloody and crusty.
The crust would fall off then straightaway another crust would form within a few weeks. It didn't hurt at all

There's different types of skin cancer that can all look totally different...if it's changed and it's itchy just get it checked out. It'll probably be fine, they might send you to a dermatologist and remove it as a precaution.

Obviously you should get a proper medical opinion but I wanted to tell you that it looks like what I have on my back, which is called Seborrheic keratoses. They do not become cancerous.

Get it checked. It looks similar to the one DH had - it was flush with his skin rather than raised. He saw three doctors (two GPs and a dermatologist) all of whom thought it wasn't anything to worry about, but referred him on just in case. A biopsy showed it was cancerous, but as it was caught so early, he didn't need radio/chemotherapy, and over a decade later, it hasn't come back. If he'd ignored it, I can't imagine we'd be in the same place now.

Thanks everyone for all your replies. Feel a bit more reassured now

@FlakeyLurker

Obviously you should get a proper medical opinion but I wanted to tell you that it looks like what I have on my back, which is called Seborrheic keratoses. They do not become cancerous.

I agree - Dh has them & has had them checked - he had one removed on forehead for cosmetic reasons.

Isn't skin cancer one of the cancers that is more likely to ''run'' in families? Or maybe that's just because fair skinned people have fair skinned siblings. I was reading an article about a woman earlier today and her sister had had a basal skin melanoma, so she mentioned that to the gp, as in, maybe this is why I'm worried about what's probably nothing they responded to her in a right ''get in asap so we can check you out''.
I'd go to the gp Monday. If it's a melanoma then that's a very aggressive cancer.

Not trying to worry you but go tomorrow not in a few weeks.

I had an itchy mole and it was removed as a precaution and because it was driving me mad. Th result of the biopsy was benign but that people who had this type of mood are at increased risk of skin cancer.