About skin cancer

There are two main types of skin cancer:

• Malignant melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer
• Non-melanoma skin cancer - more common and easily treated

Find out about who is at risk and how to check your moles.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It usually develops in cells in the outer layer of the skin. The first visible signs of this may be a change in the normal look or feel of a mole.

More than 10,400 cases are diagnosed in the UK every year and the incidence of melanoma has gone up by more than four times since the 1970s. Rates of melanoma have risen faster than for any other cancer in the UK.

Over 2,600 people die from skin cancer each year in the UK, and most of these cases are due to malignant melanoma. In fact, there are more skin cancer deaths in the UK than in Australia, even though Australia has more cases of the disease.

Melanoma is one of the few cancers to affect young adults and is the second most common cancer amongst 15-34 year olds. But a person’s risk of developing melanoma increases with age.

More women than men develop malignant melanoma. Melanomas in women are most common on the legs and in men they are most common on the trunk. These parts of the body are usually covered but now and then, they are exposed to intense bursts of UV radiation while sunbathing or on a sunbed.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is much more common than melanoma but it is easily treated. There are over 76,000 new cases reported each year in the UK but not all cases are recorded. There may be at least 100,000 new cases every year.

These cancers are most common on areas of skin frequently exposed to the sun such as the head, neck, hands and forearms. There are two main sorts, both of which tend to affect older people.

Basal cell cancer, which is more common. It grows quite slowly and usually starts as a small round or flattened lump. The lump may be red, pale or pearly in colour. Sometimes it appears as a scaly, eczema-like patch on the skin.

Squamous cell cancer, which is more serious. It can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Squamous cell cancers appear as persistent red scaly spots, lumps, sores or ulcers, which may bleed easily.

Keep an eye on your skin and report any changes in the size, shape or colour of a mole or other patch of skin to your doctor without delay.

This is particularly important for fair-skinned people, those with a history of skin cancer, or those who have sustained sun damage in their life through sunburn and/or tanning. Skin cancer is much easier to treat if it is found early.

More information about skin cancer

• Check the latest statistics on skin cancer.
• Find out more about how non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma are diagnosed and treated on our CancerHelp UK pages.
• Call our cancer information nurses on 0800 226 237 if you have questions.
• Read about our research into skin cancer.

We would like to hear from people with personal experience of skin cancer. If you would like to share your story then please fill in our online form. Sharing your story can help educate, motivate and inspire others.