With summer on the way, many of us will be looking forward to heading out in the sunshine - but if you love being outdoors at this time of year, it's particularly important to familiarise yourself with the symptoms of skin cancer.
Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds, with over 100,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK each year. But according to charity Cancer Research UK, skin cancers can look very different and symptoms can vary from person to person.
Some of the symptoms are also similar to other conditions, so it can be difficult to know when you should be worried. Here's what you need to know about the different types of skin cancer and what you need to be on the lookout for, according to the NHS and Cancer Research UK.
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Skin cancers are separated into two groups: the more common non-melanoma, and the less common melanoma, which can be more serious. Non-melanoma skin cancer refers to a group of cancers that slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin, and around 147,000 new cases are diagnosed in the UK each year, according to the NHS.
Non-melanoma skin cancer affects men more than women, and is more common in the elderly. It tends to develop most often on skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest and back. At least nine out of 10 non-melanoma skin cancer cases are successfully cured.
The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, which starts in the cells lining the bottom of the epidermis accounts for about 75 in every 100 skin cancers, and squamous cell carcinoma, which starts in the cells lining the top of the epidermis and accounts for about 20 in every 100 skin cancers.
Surgery is the main treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer, and involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin. Other treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer include freezing, anti-cancer creams, radiotherapy and a form of light treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT), but treatment will depend on on the type, size and location of the non-melanoma skin cancer you have.
Here are the key things to look out for when it comes to spotting potential signs of non-melanoma skin cancer, according to Cancer Research UK:
- A sore that doesn't heal - The sore can look see through, shiny and pink or pearly white. It can also look red. It may feel sore, rough and have raised edges.
- An ulcer - Look out for an area of skin that has broken down (an ulcer) and doesn't heal within four weeks, and you can't think of a reason for this change.
- A lump - This might be small, slow growing, shiny and pink or red.
- Red patches on your skin - These red patches could also be itchy. This could also be due to other non cancerous skin conditions.
- Pain or bleeding - Any sore or area of skin that hurts, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than four weeks should be checked out.
A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be signs of melanoma skin cancer. When checking your moles for signs of melanoma skin cancer, remember the 'ABCDE' checklist:
- Asymmetrical - This refers to the shape of the mole. Melanomas are likely to have an uneven shape. The two halves of the area may be different shapes (asymmetrical). Normal moles usually have a more even shape and the two halves are similar (symmetrical).
- Border - This refers to the edges of the mole. Melanomas are more likely to have irregular edges (border) that might be blurred or jagged. Normal moles usually have a smooth, regular border.
- Colour - This refers to the colour of the mole. Melanomas are often an uneven colour and contain more than one shade. The melanoma might have different shades of black, brown and pink. Normal moles usually have an even colour.
- Diameter - This refers to how wide the mole is. Most melanomas are more than 6mm wide. Normal moles are usually about the size of the end of a pencil or smaller.
- Evolving - Evolving means changing. Melanomas might change in size, shape or colour. Or you might notice other changes such as a mole bleeding, itching or becoming crusty. Normal moles usually stay the same size, shape, and colour.
It's important to check your skin regularly for any of the above warning signs, as the earlier skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. The NHS advises seeing a GP if you have any skin abnormality, such as a lump, ulcer, lesion or skin discolouration that has not healed after four weeks - while it's unlikely to be skin cancer, it's always best to get it checked.
To look at areas you can’t see easily, you could try using a hand held mirror and reflect your skin onto another mirror, or get your partner or a friend to look, Cancer Research UK advises. It's particularly important to check for any changes if you spend a lot of time outside in the sun for work or leisure.
Some risk factors can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, including a family history of skin cancer, having pale skin that burns easily, having a large number of moles or freckles, or taking medicine that suppresses your immune system.
While it isn't always preventable, you can help to reduce your chances of developing skin cancer by avoiding over-exposure to UV light, which includes using high-factor sunscreen, dressing sensibly in the sun, and limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun, as well as avoiding sunbeds and sunlamps.
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