Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK, with over 100,000 new cases every year.
There are two main groups of skin cancer:
Melanoma
Non-melanoma
Melanoma Skin Cancer
Melanoma is the least common skin cancer but it is potentially the most serious: there are over 8,000 new cases each year in the UK and 1,800 deaths. More people now die of melanoma in the UK than in Australia even though the overall incidence of melanoma is higher Down-Under. It is the second most common cancer in the young population (20 - 39 age group). The most common location for melanoma in men is the back. In women, it is the lower leg.
Melanoma is the most common cancer in women ages 25 to 29.
People with red and light hair, light skin tone, many moles and a history of sunburn or sunbed use are at highest risk of melanoma.
Those with a family history of melanoma have double the risk of developing the disease
Melanoma Photos
Here are just a few examples of melanoma
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the commonest skin cancers.
The most common type is Basal Cell Carcinoma (also known as ‘rodent ulcers’ or BCCs). These are usually localised growths caused by excessive cumulative exposure to the sun. This rarely spreads but can cause significant local tissue damage if ignored.
In contrast, Squamous Cell Carcinomas (SCCs), which also occur on the skin, have more of a propensity to spread to other parts of the body. These appear as a persistent, scaly red patch with irregular borders, or a raised, "wart-like" growth that may have a central crust or bleed.
Non-Melanoma Photos
As with melanoma, there are a variety of ways in which non-melanoma can present. Here are a few examples
Urgent: The "Red Flag" ABCDE Guide
If you notice any of the following, please book a consultation immediately:
Asymmetry: One half of the mole does not match the other.
Border: Edges are ragged, blurred, or irregular.
Colour: The mole has multiple shades of black, brown, or red.
Diameter: The mole is larger than 6mm (the size of a pencil eraser).
Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape, or starts to itch/bleed.
Beyond the ABCDEs, look for the "Ugly Duckling." Most normal moles on your body will look similar to one another. A mole that looks, feels, or grows differently than all your other moles is a primary candidate for a clinical skin cancer screening.
