Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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The symptoms of skin cancer depend on the type. Melanoma usually appears as a new or changing mole that is asymmetric, irregular, multi-coloured or growing. Basal cell carcinoma often looks like a pearly or waxy bump, or a sore that won’t heal. Squamous cell carcinoma tends to be a scaly, crusted or tender patch or lump. The single most important rule across all three is that a skin lesion which changes, grows, bleeds, or fails to heal over a few weeks should be checked. This guide outlines the warning signs of each type and when to see a clinician.
Melanoma Symptoms
Melanoma is the most serious skin cancer and usually shows as a new or changing pigmented lesion. Apply the ABCDE rule: asymmetry, irregular border, uneven colour, diameter over 6 mm, and — most importantly — evolution. It can also be amelanotic (pink/red rather than dark), which is easily missed.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) Symptoms
BCC is the most common skin cancer and rarely spreads, but it grows locally and should be treated. It typically appears as a pearly or waxy bump, a flat scaly patch, or a sore that bleeds, scabs and won’t fully heal — often on the face or other sun-exposed skin. See BCC vs moles.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Symptoms
SCC often presents as a firm, scaly or crusted lump or patch that may be tender, grow over weeks to months, and sometimes bleed. It also favours sun-exposed areas. See SCC vs moles.
General Warning Signs
Across all types, see a clinician about any skin lesion that:
- Is new and persists, or is changing;
- Bleeds, crusts or weeps without injury;
- Won’t heal within a few weeks;
- Is itchy, tender or growing.
The UK guidance (NHS) is to get such changes assessed promptly. Book a skin check or, if a mole is changing fast, an urgent assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is usually the first sign of skin cancer?
- Most often it is a new mark on the skin, or a change in an existing mole or spot — a different shape, colour or size, or a sore that won’t heal. Change over weeks to months is the key early warning sign across all skin cancer types.
- Is skin cancer painful?
- Often not, especially early on. Many melanomas and BCCs are painless, though SCCs can be tender. Because absence of pain is not reassuring, appearance and change matter far more than whether a lesion hurts.
- Where does skin cancer usually appear?
- Commonly on sun-exposed areas — face, ears, scalp, neck, arms and legs — but it can occur anywhere, including the soles, palms and under nails. A thorough head-to-toe check is important, particularly for higher-risk people.
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