Skin cancer awareness

There are two main types of skin cancer:

Melanoma skin cancer
Non-Melanoma skin cancer – this includes Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

How common is skin cancer?

Around 156,000 cases of non melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year and around 16,700 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year.

Melanoma skin cancers is now the 5th most common cancer in the UK. Unlike other cancers, skin cancer is common in older and younger people.

Non melanoma skin cancer

Non melanoma skin cancers tend to develop most often on skin that’s exposed to the sun. There is a high cure rate for these cancers. Most people only have minor surgery and don’t need further treatment.

These types of skin cancers can grow slowly and may take several years before being noticed, but sometimes a skin cancer can grow very quickly and within a few months. You should always contact your GP if you have an area of skin such as a spot, sore, ulcer or lesion that you are worried about or has not healed after 4 weeks.

As most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun there are several factors that affect the risk from sun exposure, these include:

How much time you spend outdoors
Your natural skin colour
Artificial radiation – such as sun beds
Age

Melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma skin cancer is when abnormal cells in the skin start to grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. Melanoma skin cancer can start anywhere on the skin for instance in a mole, on a patch of normal skin, on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet as well as under the nails. Melanoma skin cancer starts in skin cells which are in the deep layer of the epidermis.

As most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun there are several factors that affect the risk from sun exposure:

How much time you spend outdoors
Your natural skin colour
Artificial radiation such as sun beds

Other factors include:

Skin type
Hair and eye colour
Number of moles
Family history of melanoma

Ways to reduce the risk of skin cancer

The good news is that four out of five skin cancers are preventable, which means there’s a lot we can do to take care of our skin and reduce the risks.

Reduce your sun exposure
It’s important that your skin isn’t exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Try to seek shade where you can and cover up with clothing. You could switch to long sleeves after some time in the sun or wear a hat to protect your head and face.

Use suncream
It’s important to always wear suncream when you spend time in the sun, even if it’s a cloudy day. Make sure you’re using a suncream with an SPF of 30 or higher if you are outdoors. The higher the SPF, the more protected your skin will be.

Avoid using sunbeds
Sunbeds put you at a much greater risk of getting skin cancer. If you’re tempted to use sunbeds to get a tan, you could opt for an instant or gradual tanning product instead. Sunbeds produce high intensity artificial UV light, and this can damage your skin. Sunbed use is a major risk factor for melanoma, but evidence suggests it can also cause other types of skin cancers. Research has consistently found a higher rate of skin cancer in people who use sunbeds, with your risk increasing the more often you use them.

Check your skin for signs of skin cancer
It’s important to regularly check your skin so it’s easier to notice any changes. Signs of skin cancer can include a sore that doesn’t heal, or skin that’s red, itchy or bleeding for a long time. It can also include new moles, or moles that change in shape, size or colour.