Skin cancer
What causes skin cancer?
Most skin cancers are caused by damage from UV (ultraviolet) rays in sunlight. Up to 80% of these cancers could be prevented if we protect ourselves from the sun.
Are there different types of skin cancer?
There are two main types of skin cancer:
Malignant melanoma
This is the more common type of skin cancer.
- Commonality:
Each year in the UK over 7,000 people are diagnosed with malignant melanoma. - Symptoms:
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. Go to checking your moles for more information. - Location:
Melanomas in women are most common on the legs. Melanomas in men are most common on the back. - Curability:
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 in 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
Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common and easily treated type of cancer.
- Commonality:
There are over 62,000 new cases reported each year in the UK. - Symptoms:
Small round or flattened lumps, which are red, pale or pearly in colour. Sometimes appears as a scaly, eczema-like patch on the skin. Or a spot, lump, sore or ulcer, that continues to itch, hurt, crust, scab or bleed. - Location:
These cancers are most common on areas of skin frequently exposed to the sun such as the head, neck, hands and forearms. - Curability:
Almost all non-melanoma skin cancers are curable if detected early.
Who is at risk from skin cancer?
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 of more of the descriptions on this list applies to you, you should take extra care to protect yourself from the sun.
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. Ensure children are either in the shade or covered up, and are wearing a high factor sunscreen. Babies should never be left in direct sunlight.
If you notice changes in a mole or in previously normal skin, it is important to act right away. Most changes are not caused by cancer, but do need to be checked out.
What happens when you go and see the doctor?
Melanoma will spread to other parts of the body if left untreated, so it essential that you see your doctor immediately if you notice any symptoms.
When you see the doctor he/she will inspect the mole or dark patch. If he/she isn't sure whether it is okay, you will be referred to a hospital specialist. If your specialist thinks it might be a melanoma, it will be removed in a simple operation under local anaesthetic. The mole will then be examined under a microscope. If it is a melanoma you may be given further treatment and invited to attend regular check-ups at the hospital.
Check your moles
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.
What if I'm still worried?
If your mole does not fit any of these descriptions but you are still worried then please visit your GP. This checklist is meant as a guide and cannot replace expert medical opinion.
Contacts
The contacts database contains details of organisations that may be able to offer information or assistance on this issue.
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Based on information kindly supplied by Cancer Research UK - www.sunsmart.org.uk
