Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): Signs, Risks and Why Skin Checks Matter

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a type of skin cancer. It usually grows slowly, rarely spreads to other parts of the body, and most BCCs can be treated successfully when found early. Left untreated, though, a BCC can keep growing and damage the skin and tissue around it. If you notice a new or changing spot, or a sore that won’t heal, have it checked in person by a doctor.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

BCC starts in the basal cells, found in the lower part of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). According to healthdirect, BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and the most common type of cancer overall. Together with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), it’s sometimes called non-melanoma skin cancer or keratinocyte cancer.

BCC is different from melanoma, which is less common but more likely to spread. Any new or changing spot should be checked.

What does a BCC look like?

BCCs most often appear on areas that get a lot of sun, such as the face, ears, scalp, neck, shoulders, back, arms and legs. They can look like:

• a pearly, shiny or pink lump, sometimes with small visible blood vessels on the surface
• a flat, red or pink scaly patch, often on the chest or back
• a sore that bleeds, crusts over, seems to heal and then comes back
• a pale, firm, scar-like area that wasn’t caused by an injury

BCCs are usually painless and may grow so slowly that they’re easy to ignore for months or years.

Only a doctor can tell whether a spot is a skin cancer, and often a sample of skin (a biopsy) is needed to be sure. Don’t try to diagnose a spot yourself.

Who is at risk?

The main cause of BCC is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, built up over many years, and from solariums. Anyone can develop a BCC, but the risk is higher if you:

• have fair skin that burns easily, light-coloured eyes, or red or fair hair
• have had a lot of sun exposure, through outdoor work, sport or lifestyle
• have a history of sunburn, especially in childhood
• have used solariums
• are older, as the risk rises with age
• have had a BCC or another skin cancer before
• have a family history of skin cancer
• have a weakened immune system, for example after an organ transplant

Checking your skin

Get to know your skin so you notice changes early. Cancer Council Australia recommends making it a regular habit to check your skin for new spots and changes to existing freckles or moles. When you check:

• use good light and a full-length mirror, and a hand mirror for hard-to-see areas
• check your whole body, including your scalp, ears, the backs of your legs, the soles of your feet and between your toes
• ask a partner or family member to check areas you can’t see

Look for anything new, anything that’s changing in size, shape or colour, sores that don’t heal, and spots that look different from the others around them. It’s also a good idea to talk to your GP about your personal level of risk and how often you should have your skin checked by a doctor.

How is BCC diagnosed?

A doctor, such as your GP, a skin cancer doctor or a dermatologist, will examine the spot in person, usually with a magnifying instrument called a dermatoscope. They’ll also check the rest of your skin. If they suspect a skin cancer, they’ll usually take a biopsy, which is a small sample of skin sent to a laboratory. This confirms the diagnosis and the type of BCC, which helps decide on treatment.

A skin cancer can’t be diagnosed reliably from a photo or a video call. A proper skin check needs an in-person examination.

How is BCC treated?

Treatment depends on the type, size and location of the BCC, and on your general health. Options include:

• Surgery to cut out the BCC and a small margin of healthy skin. This is the most common treatment.
• Mohs surgery, a specialised technique that removes the cancer in thin layers, checking each under a microscope. It’s mainly used for BCCs on the face or where it’s important to save as much healthy tissue as possible.
• Curettage and cautery (scraping and sealing with heat), cryotherapy (freezing), prescription creams or photodynamic therapy (a cream activated by light), for some small or superficial BCCs.
• Radiation therapy, sometimes used when surgery isn’t suitable.

Your doctor will explain which options suit you, along with the benefits, risks and likely scarring. After treatment, you’ll need regular skin checks, because having one BCC increases the chance of getting another. Cancer Council Australia has more about skin cancer treatment, and you can call the Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for information and support.

Preventing BCC: sun protection

Most skin cancers can be prevented by protecting your skin from UV radiation. Use sun protection whenever the UV index is 3 or above, which in much of Australia is most of the year. Follow the five sun-safe steps:

1. Slip on sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
2. Slop on SPF 30 or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors, and reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
3. Slap on a broad-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears and neck.
4. Seek shade.
5. Slide on sunglasses that meet the Australian Standard.

Avoid sunburn, and protect children’s skin carefully, as sun damage in childhood adds to lifetime risk. The SunSmart app and Bureau of Meteorology show the daily UV forecast.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your GP, a skin cancer clinic or a dermatologist for an in-person check if you notice:

• a new spot or lump, especially if you’re over 40 or at higher risk
• a spot that is changing in size, shape, colour or texture
• a sore that bleeds, crusts or doesn’t heal within a few weeks
• a spot that looks different from your other spots

If you’ve had a skin cancer before, follow your doctor’s advice on how often to have your skin checked.

When to get urgent help

BCC isn’t usually an emergency, but see a doctor promptly if a spot is growing quickly, bleeding heavily, or a wound shows signs of infection after treatment, such as increasing redness, swelling, pain, pus or fever. For heavy bleeding that won’t stop with firm pressure, or if you feel very unwell, go to your nearest emergency department or call 000.

How Teldoc can help

Telehealth can’t be used to diagnose skin cancer, and Teldoc doesn’t provide skin checks. Any spot you’re worried about needs to be examined in person by your regular GP, a skin cancer clinic or a dermatologist. Our AHPRA-registered GPs can still help in some situations, by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time). For example, a GP can:

• talk through your concerns and help you work out who to see and how soon
• discuss whether a specialist referral is appropriate, for example if you’ve already been told by a doctor who examined you that you need to see a dermatologist
• provide a medical certificate if you need time off work to recover from a procedure

General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays. See our fees page for details, and read what telehealth can and can’t do.

Frequently asked questions

Is basal cell carcinoma dangerous?

BCC rarely spreads to other parts of the body, and most can be treated successfully when found early. Without treatment, it can keep growing and damage nearby skin and tissue, so any suspicious spot should be checked by a doctor in person.

What does a basal cell carcinoma look like?

BCCs can look like a pearly or pink lump, a red scaly patch, a sore that bleeds or won’t heal, or a pale scar-like area. They’re often on sun-exposed skin. Only a doctor can diagnose a BCC, usually with a biopsy.

Can a telehealth doctor diagnose skin cancer?

No. Skin cancer can’t be diagnosed reliably from a photo or video call. A doctor needs to examine the spot in person, usually with a dermatoscope, and often take a biopsy.

How can I reduce my risk of BCC?

Protect your skin whenever the UV index is 3 or above: wear protective clothing, use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen, wear a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and wear sunglasses. Avoid sunburn and check your skin regularly for changes.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026