WHAT TO LOOK FOR

There are two categories of skin cancer – melanoma and non-melanoma.

 MELANOMA is also known as malignant melanoma, says Dr Rajpar. ‘Unless caught early, it can spread to other organs in the body. Melanomas grow downwards, and the deeper the “roots”, the riskier they are. Around 90 to 95% of melanomas are brown or black with an irregular outline. However, some don’t produce pigment. They may look like raised bumps that may bleed.’

Melanomas may be asymmetrical, so one half won’t look the same as the other, and they may feature more than one colour. Any mole over 6mm in diameter and any growing lesion or mole should be checked. ‘Only one in three melanomas develop in existing moles,’ says Dr Rajpar. ‘So be aware of new or changing moles.’

The risk of melanoma is highest in those with pale skin and light eyes and hair, and about one in 10 are thought to be linked to inherited genes. Those with weakened immune systems, including those with inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease, may also be more at risk. Some melanomas can appear in people with Black or brown skin. These can appear on the palms, soles of feet or even under the nails.

 NON-MELANOMA skin cancers are the most common malignancy in the UK, with at least 250,000 registered cases every year. Basal cell carcinomas, which can also be referred to as ‘rodent ulcers’, are slow-growing pink patches or lumps, often on the face or trunk, which can invade nearby tissues. Untreated, they may scab, ulcerate, bleed and even grow through bones.

Another 20% of non-melanoma skin cancers are squamous cell carcinomas, which can be deadly. They tend to appear as pink patches, lumps and ulcers, and grow faster than basal cell carcinomas.

Skin cancer surgery can be disfiguring as doctors may need to take away a large margin of skin to ensure all the ‘roots’ of the cancer have gone. However, Mohs surgery can reduce scarring and improve cure rates. This technique takes the smallest possible amount of issue at a time, which is then analysed during surgery to check that all traces are gone.