Your essential skin cancer checklist

Melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK have reached an all time high, according to Cancer Research UK. There are also more than 200,000 case of non-melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year.

Skin cancer is basically divided into two groups, melanoma and non-melanoma cancers. Melanoma is around 20 times less common than non-melanoma, but far more serious. That's because it's much more likely to spread to other parts of the body.

The two types of non-melanoma cancers are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They affect more than 200,000 people in the UK every year¹. Basal cell cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK - if spotted and treated early this presents a very low risk to your health.

With 17,500 cases in the UK in 2022², melanoma diagnosis is not common, but it is increasing. The number of cases is expected to grow by 50% in the next 20 years. While it does affect younger people, it definitely gets more common with age - around half of people diagnosed are over 65.

Malignant melanomas occur most often on women's legs - but they can develop on any part of your skin. By contrast, men are most likely to get melanomas on the back or chest. But they can occur anywhere, so have any new or changing mole with any of the warning signs listed below checked out.

Who's most at risk?

Melanoma is a subject close to my heart, because unfortunately I tick all the boxes for being high risk for developing it. I have red hair - some blondes are at risk too - freckles and the sort of pale skin that only has to look at a sun ray to turn red.

What's more, I had several episodes of severe sunburn in childhood, when the highest sun protection factor (SPF) in sun cream that existed was factor 12. Children's skin is particularly sensitive, and melanoma can develop many years after episodes of sunburn in childhood. Frequent or severe sunburn in childhood puts you at higher risk for life.

Your risk of non-melanoma skin cancers largely depends on your lifetime sun exposure. Numerous non-sun-related factors, including family history, alcohol intake, smoking and taking medication which suppresses your immune system, can all increase your risk further.

Melanomas, on the other hand, seem to be more closely related to how often you've been burned. Any colouring of your skin is your body's reaction to sun damage, but sunburn is particularly risky. People who have naturally dark skin have higher levels of melanin in the skin, which protects against both burning and melanoma.

But sun exposure isn't the only risk. You're more likely to get a melanoma if other people in your family have it. Of course, this can be partly explained by inheriting pale skin and freckles, but there does seem to be another genetic link too. Around 1 in 10 people who get melanoma have a relative who had it.

Patient picks for Skin cancer types

Cancer

What it's like to be diagnosed with skin cancer

With increased accessibility to exotic destinations and a rise in sunbed use, skin cancer rates are soaring. In fact, it's now the fifth most common cancer in the UK (and the second most common in young adults), killing over 2,500 people a year. We speak to Loti Jackson who was diagnosed with the disease at 27 and explore the skin cancer warning signs to look out for.

by Karen Gordon

Cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancers are any skin cancers that are not melanoma. The term is used because melanoma is very different to other skin cancers so it's important to think of them as separate types of skin cancers. Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are the main types of non-melanoma skin cancers.

by Dr Pippa Vincent, MRCGP

Spotting non-melanoma skin cancer

Scalp and face are the most common sites for non-melanoma skin cancers, but like melanomas, they can appear anywhere.

Squamous cell cancers most often start as a pink or red area covered by a crust or scales. As they progress, they can become tender and raised - a bit like a wart - and can ulcerate. The surface is delicate and may bleed easily.

Basal cell cancers usually start with a lump which can be pearly, pink or red. Like squamous cell cancers, basal cell cancers can crust or bleed, but this often takes more time as they tend to grow very slowly. As a rule, they are not painful or tender.

ABCDE melanoma

You should also watch out for redness and inflammation, crusting, itching, a change in sensation of the skin, bleeding or oozing.

Protect yourself

Even if you've had sunburn as a child or have freckled, pale skin, it's never too late to protect yourself against skin cancer. While you need some sun to top up your vitamin D levels, you should always avoid burning, and ideally tanning - this includes sunbeds, which emit UV light.

Covering up with a wide-brimmed hat and shirt - ideally long-sleeved - in bright sunlight will help prevent harm. Sun damage can affect your eyes and you can get melanoma in them - wraparound sunglasses work very well for this. Stay inside when sun is at its strongest between 11 am and 3 pm. And apply high sun protection factor cream - at least factor 30, or factor 50 if you're pale or freckled.

Practise 'slip, slop, slap' - slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen regularly and slap on a hat.Think pale and interesting - it really is healthier!

Further reading

1. Skcin.org: Skin cancer facts.

2. Cancer Research UK: Skin cancer cases hit record high.