Download Skin Cancer Fact Sheet

Skin Cancer Fact Sheet
There are two main types of skin cancer: malignant melanoma which is less common but more serious and
non melanoma skin cancer which is very common but not so serious.
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The numbers of malignant melanomas in the UK has quadrupled in the past 30 years
More than a third of cases of malignant melanoma occur in people under 55
Around 2,560 people died from skin cancer in the UK in 2008
The most common site to develop skin cancer for men is on the chest or back; for women it is on
the legs. But other places can be affected too eg sole of the foot or face
Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer although sun bed use produces the same effect.
Remember though that exposure to the sun has a number of benefits – it makes you feel good,
helps the body to produce vitamin D and provides opportunities to undertake physical activity
Self Checks for Skin Cancer
Finding skin cancer early saves lives, so it is very important to know the signs:
Cancer often appears as a change in a mole or patch of skin over a short period of time (weeks or months).
Do you have any new growths or a sore that will not heal - is it itchy, sore or painful? Is the mole/growth
bleeding, crusted or scabby?
Check your skin regularly and remember the ABCD rule:
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Asymmetry – the two halves of the mole may look different
Border – edges of a melanoma may be irregular, blurred or jagged
Colour – the colour of the melanoma may be uneven with more than one shade
Diameter – many melanomas are at least 6mm in diameter, the size of a pencil eraser
Remember most changes in skin is not due to skin cancer – but have it checked out by your Doctor
What if it is Skin Cancer?
Skin cancer if left untreated will spread to other parts of the body – some cancers spread more quickly than
others, so it’s important to act quickly
If your Doctor has any concerns you will be asked to see a specialist at your local hospital who will take a
small part of the skin growth to look at under the microscope to see if it is cancer.
If it is skin cancer you may be given treatment and asked to attend hospital regularly to keep a check on
things.
Useful Contacts
For information on skin cancer call NHS Direct (24 hours a day, 365 days per year) on: 08454647
If you don’t understand English ask for the interpreter service
If you are hard of hearing use the text phone service on 6064647
Or visit SKCIN – the Karen Clifford skin cancer charity at www.skcin.org
Or see Cancer Research at www.cancerresearchuk.org