This type of skin cancer starts in cells at the bottom of the epidermis (top layer of skin). Basal cell carcinoma accounts for 75% of skin cancers. It can look like a pearly-white or pink lump, or a red scaly patch.
Sometimes there are bits of brown or black within the lump or patch. It slowly gets bigger with time and may start to bleed or become crusty. It does not tend to spread to other parts of the body.