Skin cancer

Last updated: 18 November 2008

What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is a disease of the body's skin cells caused mainly by ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer.

It usually develops as a small, round, raised, red, pale or pearly-coloured spot, and it may become ulcerated like a sore that will not heal.

BCCs do not normally spread to other parts of the body.

What is squamous cell carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer.

It normally appears as a thickened red, scaly spot that may later bleed easily or ulcerate.

SCCs mainly develop on areas of the body that are exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

SCCs can spread to other parts of the body if not treated.

What is a melanoma?

Melanoma is a less common form of skin cancer, but the most dangerous.

Melanoma can spread to other parts of the body unless treated early.

Melanoma appears as a new or existing spot, freckle or mole that changes in colour, size or shape.

A melanoma usually has an irregular or smudgy outline and can be more than one colour.

A melanoma can grow over weeks to months, and can appear anywhere on the body, including areas of the body that aren't exposed to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

How are skin cancers treated?

Skin cancers are usually curable if detected early.

Your doctor will decide on a treatment based on a number of factors, including the location of the cancer, how big the cancer is and whether it has spread to other parts of your body.

Treatment will involve removing the cancer, by carefully cutting out the affected area. This is called a local excision. Other removal methods include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), radiation or anticancer drugs applied to the skin.

What are the main risk factors for skin cancer?

Anyone can develop skin cancer but risk is increased for people who:

• were exposed to high levels of ultraviolet radiation during childhood and adolescence
• had repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation over their lifetime
• had episodes of severe sunburn
• have a light complexion (red or fair hair, blue or green eyes, skin that burns readily, freckles and doesn't tan easily)
• are older (as the risk increases with age)
• have had a previous non-melanoma skin cancer
• have a personal or family history of melanoma
• have a large number of moles, especially unusual types of moles (e.g., dysplastic naevus)
• have a suppressed immune system.

How can I best look after my skin?

To prevent skin cancer you should try to avoid the sun, but when outside you should:

• wear protective clothing that covers your body
• wear a broad-brimmed hat to shade your face and neck
• wear wrap around sunglasses
• apply SPF+30 broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen every two hours

Check your skin regularly to pick up any changes that might suggest a skin cancer. The sooner a skin cancer is identified and treated, the better. Look for:

• crusty, non-healing sores
• small lumps that are red, pale or pearly in appearance
• new spots, freckles or any moles changing in colour, thickness or shape over a period of weeks to months (especially those that are dark brown to black, red or blue-black in colour).

If you notice any changes consult your doctor immediately.

If you have previously had any form of skin cancer or there is a history in the family then you should have regular skin checks. Please discuss this with your GP.

For more detailed information about skin cancer

Visit the Cancer Council website, call the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20, or talk to your GP.