Pre-cancerous changes to the skin can manifest in a number of ways, ranging from subtle to more obvious mutations. In general, pre-cancerous skin changes tend to be discolored patches of skin that are different in texture or color than the surrounding area. These spots may appear as blotches of pink, red, or brown color, or may have a scaly, rough, or crusted surface. They may also be flat, raised, or thickened.
In some cases, pre-cancerous skin changes can be identified as actinic keratoses. These are small, rough spots that usually appear on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, ears, back of the hands, and scalp. They tend to be flesh-colored, pink, red, or brown, and may feel like sandpaper to the touch.
In addition, pre-cancerous skin changes may sometimes be identified as basal cell carcinomas. These are usually small, raised bumps that are pearly or waxy in appearance. They may also be flesh-colored, white, or pink in color, and may have a slightly translucent or shiny appearance.
No matter what type of pre-cancerous skin change is present, it's important to have any suspicious patches or spots evaluated by a dermatologist. Early detection and treatment is key for preventing further damage to the skin, and can help to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer in the future.