Download Types of skin cancer

Skin Cancer
Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
from the sun or sunbeds.
Whether you're at home or abroad, use shade, clothing and SPF15+ sunscreen
to protect yourself.
Be SunSmart
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity No. 1089464.
Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 4325234.
Registered address 61 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3PX.
All information contained in this document can be found on the Cancer Research UK website
info.cancerresearchuk.org/healthyliving/sunsmart/about-sunsmart/ -
Skin cancer facts
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who develop it is
increasing.
The majority of cases are caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun or sunbeds.
What if I notice a change?
If you are concerned about skin changes then visit your doctor without delay.
Any change in a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin that occurs quickly, over weeks or months, should be
taken seriously.
SunSmart campaign evidence base
Every good health promotion campaign is built upon two types of evidence. These are:
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Scientific evidence that underpins the main campaign messages
Evaluation evidence that measures the effectiveness of campaign activities
Scientific research
Cancer Research UK is committed to providing the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.
Through the work of our scientists and others all around the world, we know that preventing skin cancer is a
real possibility. We also know that finding skin cancer early can save lives.
Developing campaign messages
When we develop SunSmart messages we look at all the available evidence to agree on the best ways for
people to reduce their skin cancer risk. Assessing evidence involves looking at expert reports and individual
studies in detail. When we interpret study results we consider:
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the size of the study
the methods the researchers used
where the study took place
who was the subject of the study.
We then ask skin cancer experts for their opinions and suggestions to make sure our campaign is as
relevant and effective as possible.
Finally, we run focus groups with the campaign target audience to check our messages are clear and
appropriate.
About skin cancer
Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK and the number of people who develop it is
increasing.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation – the kind found in sunlight and
sunbeds. These cancers could be prevented if we protect ourselves from over exposure to these rays.
Types of skin cancer
There are two main types of skin cancer:
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malignant melanoma - the most serious type of skin cancer
non-melanoma skin cancer - more common and easily treated
Malignant melanoma
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.
Visiting the doctor
When you notice any skin changes your local GP surgery should be your first port of call. Your doctor will be
able to either reassure you that the problem is not serious or refer you to a specialist for tests.
Most changes are not caused by cancer but do need to be checked out by a doctor. If skin cancer is caught
early, then the treatment is quick and effective.
Warning signs and GP referral
If your doctor has any concerns, you will be referred to a hospital specialist.
National experts produce guidelines to help GPs decide which patients need to be seen urgently by a
specialist.
Tips for visiting the doctor
Some people find that their mind goes blank when they visit the doctor. So you may find it helpful to write a
few things down beforehand as a reminder. Note down:
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where the skin changes are on your body
why you are worried about them
how your skin has changed and when you noticed
If it helps you could print off our detecting skin cancer page to take with you.
Questions for your doctor
Cancer Help UK has much more information about skin cancer and the questions you might want to ask
your doctor about:
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non-melanoma skin cancer
malignant melanoma
Registering with a GP surgery
It is always a good idea to be registered with a local doctor. When you move to a new area you will need to
find a new GP surgery. You can do this by searching online or calling a helpline. Here are some useful
contact details:
NHS Scotland - for local GP surgeries in Scotland
Call: 0800 22 44 88
Visit: www.show.scot.nhs.uk/
Who is most at risk?
Some people are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. These people tend to have one or more of
the following:
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fair skin that burns easily
lots of moles or freckles
a history of sunburn, especially when young
red or fair hair
light-coloured eyes
a personal or family history of skin cancer.
If you have one or more of the above characteristics then it’s a good idea to:
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take steps to avoid getting caught out by sunburn. Use shade, clothing and SPF15+ sunscreen to
protect yourself.
keep an eye out for changes to your skin and report these to your doctor without delay. Skin cancer
is much easier to treat if it is found early.
What if I take lots of holidays?
We know that occasionally getting high doses of UV rays is particularly damaging to your skin, and can
increase your risk of malignant melanoma.
This is why melanoma is most common on parts of the body that aren’t normally exposed to the sun.
So, whether at home or abroad, you can protect your skin by covering up and seeking shade when the sun
is at its strongest.
Are children at risk?
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.
Sunburns during childhood can dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer later on in life.
What if I have naturally brown or black skin?
Those of us with naturally brown or black skin have more melanin pigment in our skin cells. This helps
protect the skin from damaging UV rays. So if you have naturally brown or black skin you are much less
likely to develop skin cancer.
However, skin cancer can still affect people with brown or black skin. It is most common on parts of the body
that aren’t often exposed to the sun such as the soles of the feet.
Reducing your risk
Being SunSmart can greatly reduce your risk of skin cancer.
Your skin type
Your skin type is determined by the genes you get from your parents. It affects both your likelihood of
burning in the sun and your risk of skin cancer.
Knowing your skin type will help you work out when to protect yourself. As a general rule, the lighter your
skin, the more careful you should be in the sun.
But remember that everyone, even people with dark skin, can burn if the sun is strong enough.
What skin type are you?
Experts identify six different skin types. Match your natural hand colour to one of the photos in our skin type
table. Then check the description matches your hair and eye colour and what happens to your skin in strong
sun.
Type I - Often burns, rarely tans. Tends to have freckles, red or fair hair, and blue or green eyes.
Type II - Usually burns, sometimes tans. Tends to have light hair, and blue or brown eyes.
Type III - Sometimes burns, usually tans. Tends to have brown hair and eyes.
Type IV - Rarely burns, often tans. Tends to have dark brown eyes and hair.
Type V - Naturally black-brown skin. Often has dark brown eyes and hair.
Type VI - Naturally black-brown skin. Usually has black-brown eyes and hair.
When am I most at risk?
When you know your skin type you can work out your burn risk and when to protect yourself.
Check the UV Index for the day on the Met Office website.
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Low risk - no protection is needed.
Medium risk - take care around midday and do not spend too long in the sun unprotected.
High risk - cover up and spend time in the shade between 11 and 3. Use least factor 15 sunscreen
on exposed skin.
Very high risk - be sure to cover up and in the shade between 11 and 3. And use at least factor 15
sunscreen.