About skin cancer

cancer research UK Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who get it is on the increase. Most skin cancers are caused by damage from UV (ultraviolet) rays in sunlight. These cancers can be prevented if we protect ourselves from the sun

A serious problem

  • There are over 69,000 new cases of skin cancer diagnosed each year in the UK
  • Many cases are not reported, so the real number is probably much higher
  • The number of cases has more than doubled since the early 80s
  • Over 2,000 people die from skin cancer each year in the UK

    In fact, there are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease.

    Types of skin cancer
    There are two main types of skin cancer:

  • malignant melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer
    Malignant melanoma, also known as melanoma, is the most serious type of skin cancer. It usually develops in cells in the outer layer of the skin. The first visible sign may be a change in the normal look or feel of a mole.

    Melanoma affects adults of all ages. It's one of the few cancers to affect young adults and is the third most common cancer among 15 to 39 year olds. However your risk increases as you get older.

    More women than men develop malignant melanoma. Melanomas in women are most common on the legs and in men on the back. This is shown in the diagram to the right.

    When melanoma is caught early it can be treated successfully. However, if a malignant melanoma is left it can spread to other parts of the body and may be fatal.

    If you notice changes in a mole or previously normal skin, it is important to act right away. Most changes are not caused by cancer, but do need to be checked out.

  • non-melanoma skin cancer- more common and easily treated
    Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common and easily treated type of cancer. More than nine out of ten skin cancers are this type. There are over 62,000 new cases reported each year in the UK. There are two main sorts, both of which tend to affect older people. These cancers are most common on areas of skin frequently exposed to the sun such as the head, neck, hands and forearms.

    Who is at risk?
    Everyone should be careful in the sun. It doesn't matter what colour your skin is, you should still take simple precautions to protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV rays. Some people are born with a greater risk of skin cancer. These people tend to:

  • burn easily
  • have fair skin and/or freckles
  • have red or fair hair and/or pale eyes
  • have had skin cancer before
  • have a large number of moles (50+)
  • have skin cancer in the family (especially melanoma)
  • have had bad sunburn in the past

    If one or more of the descriptions on this list apply to you, you should take extra care to protect yourself from the sun.

    Why are children at risk?
    Babies and children need extra protection from the sun because their skin is delicate and easily damaged. You will not see the damage immediately because skin cancer can take years to develop. But children who are exposed to too much sun now are storing up problems for the future. Sunburn in childhood can double your risk of skin cancer.

    Check your moles for signs of melanoma
    Here is a checklist to help you pick out a mole or dark patch that you should show your doctor. Checking moles on your back may be difficult, but you could ask a friend or partner to look at them for you.

    Major signs
    See your doctor immediately if your mole:
  • is new or growing - moles do change in children, but this becomes less common as we get older and could be a warning sign
  • has a ragged edge - ordinary moles have a smooth, regular shape
  • contains different colours - ordinary moles may be dark brown, but are all one shade. A mole containing different shades of black and brown should be checked out.

    Minor signs
    The following signs do not necessarily mean that you have a melanoma, but you should still look out for them. If your mole or dark patch does not return to normal within two weeks, don't ignore it.

    See your doctor if your mole:
  • is inflamed or has a red edge - ordinary moles are not inflamed
  • is bleeding, oozing or crusting - ordinary moles do not do this
  • feels funny or itches - any change in the feel of a mole should be checked out. Ordinary moles are not itchy or painful
  • is bigger than all your other moles

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