Skin cancer awareness and early detection

Circle Health Group is proud to work with British Skin Foundation to shine a spotlight on the different types of skin cancer, including key research into the early detection of melanoma skin cancer. We share expert insight from dermatologist and skin cancer specialist Professor John Thomas Lear highlighting the symptoms to look out for and the many possible treatment options.

Melanoma skin cancer (one type of skin cancer) is the fifth most common type of cancer in the UK, with around 17,500 new cases every year (the equivalent of 48 new patients diagnosed every day). While millions of people across the world are diagnosed with melanoma every year, the survival rate of the disease is high at 87%. This is because the disease is often so preventable, with more and more people becoming increasingly aware of how to spot the key signs and symptoms early and get treated quickly.

In this blog, we continue to spread awareness of the most common symptoms of various types of skin cancer, including melanoma, so you know exactly which skin changes to look out for. We also cover more information about the importance of attending regular skin check-ups, as well as the many treatment options available should you get a diagnosis.

Spotting skin cancer in its early stages

Some forms of skin cancer grow in a matter of weeks. At this early stage of cancer growth, you might not have any symptoms. Some people experience some noticeable changes in their skin that might represent a form of cancer. These are:

• Changes to a mole or freckle (in size, shape, or colour)
• Red patches on your skin that might also be itchy
• A new ulcer (sore) that bleeds and develops a crust, but isn't healing
• A new growth or lump with a raised border that bleeds and develops a crust, but isn't healing

Symptoms vary from person to person. It is important to remember that having these symptoms does not mean you have cancer, which is why it is important to visit your GP or book in with a consultant dermatologist (skin specialist), who can advise you on the safest next steps to take based on their investigation of your skin.

Melanoma vs non-melanoma skin cancer

There are many types of skin cancer, which can be divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. The main difference between both is the type of cell in which they develop and the pace at which they develop. Melanoma tends to spread faster in your body than non-melanoma. 

Melanoma starts in cells called melanocytes, which you have in your skin and eyes. This type is mostly caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. It is usually found in older people with pale skin and a family history of skin cancer. Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common type of cancer that starts in the top layer of your skin. It is also mostly caused by exposure to UV light.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is usually very treatable and can often be prevented by reduced exposure to sunshine.

Common types of non-melanoma skin cancer

Some of the most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are:

Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)  is the most common type of non-melanoma skin cancer that develops from your basal cells. These are situated in the deepest part of the outer layer of your skin, which is also referred to as the epidermis. BCC is mostly found across parts of your body that are most likely to have been exposed to the sun, such as your face, nose, forehead, and even your cheeks. This type of skin cancer usually grows slowly, meaning it is often discovered and treated in its early stages.

BCC has several subtypes (otherwise known as variants). There are six of these in total: superficial, pigmented, nodular, micronodular, infiltrative, or morpheaform. These subtypes all look slightly different. Some appear as shiny bumps, while others a red patch of itchy skin, or a mole with an uneven border.  Some subtypes have a greater risk of recurring after treatment, but it is very rare for BCC to spread to another part of your body and form secondary cancer. There are many successful treatment options for BCC, and it is generally a very treatable form of skin cancer.

Squamous cell skin cancer

Squamous cell skin cancer usually grows at a faster rate than BCC. It begins in cells called keratinocytes, which are also part of the epidermis. This type of cancer also develops across parts of your body that have been regularly exposed to the sun, including areas that have suffered sunburn previously.

Non-melanoma skin cancer isn’t always preventable, particularly if it runs in your family, but your chances of developing it can be reduced if you avoid overexposure to UV light. Using sunscreen when you’re in the sun and limiting your time in the sun are the two main ways you can safely limit your risk. 

Common types of melanoma skin cancer

As we mentioned above, this cancer develops in cells called melanocytes. There are several common subtypes, which are:

Superficial spreading melanoma

This is the most common type of melanoma, with 70-80% of people with melanoma cancer being diagnosed with nodular melanoma. This happens when malignant pigment cells (melanocytes) grow out of control across your skin before growing more deeply into it.  

Nodular melanoma

This type of skin cancer usually grows downward into the deeper layers of your skin. This is considered a more aggressive form of skin cancer because it can grow and spread very quickly. 

Lentigo maligna melanoma

This type of skin cancer presents as a brown lesion(s) that grows slowly in areas of your skin that get a lot of exposure to the sun, such as your face and upper body. As it grows, the lentigo maligna can become darker and bleed or crust. 

All of the types of skin cancer listed above can be caused by overexposure to UV, but this is not the only cause of skin cancer. Other factors include having a family history of the disease, having many moles and freckles across your skin already, and even simply getting older.  

Identifying skin changes with an expert eye

Although you might spot changes to your skin as you get older, you might not know what these changes mean and when you should seek an expert eye.

We recommend seeing your GP or a consultant dermatologist as soon as you spot any type of skin change. 
In order to keep on top of your skin health, it helps to self-check your body regularly for more specific signs and symptoms. You can use the ABCDE approach, which is an acronym to help you and your doctor spot features of a mole or lesion that could indicate skin cancer. These are:

Asymmetry (shape)

A mole that is harmless is usually symmetrical, while a cancerous mole is often irregular in shape. It might have two halves that are different shapes or sizes. 

Border irregularity

The edges of a suspicious mole are often blurry of jagged, while non-cancerous moles have a smooth border. 

Colour variability

Cancerous moles often contain several shades of uneven colour, including black, brown, and pink. A non-cancerous mole is typically one shade of brown. 

Diameter

This refers to the width of your mole. Most melanomas are more than 6mm wide.

Evolving

This means a mole that is always changing. It might bleed or itch regularly or become crusted. 
If you have black or brown skin, you might not have any of the ABCDE signs and symptoms. Instead, you might experience:

• A mole that is a pink colour
• A broken and ulcerated sore
• A mole of the palm of your hand or sole of your foot
• A mole under your finger or toenail

We recommend checking your skin for changes at least once per month. If you do notice any changes, book an appointment with a consultant dermatologist or GP as soon as possible so they can examine it for you. At your appointment, your doctor will examine the mole using the ABCDE criteria and ask you more about your personal and familial medical history. They will ask how often you spend time in the sun, whether you use sunscreen regularly, and if you have ever suffered severe sunburn.

If you see a GP and they conclude that your mole is non-cancerous, they will reassure you that no further action is needed but recommend regular self-checks for any changes. If there are any suspicious features, they might refer you to a consultant dermatologist for further examination, or you can book an appointment to see a consultant dermatologist without seeing your GP first if you are concerned. In some cases, they might suggest a biopsy, where a sample or the entire mole will be removed for testing.

Getting treatment for skin cancer

If you do get diagnosed with skin cancer, there are many successful treatment options for you to choose from. These are:

Surgery

There are several methods of surgery used to treat skin cancer. These depend on the type you have and whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.  During surgery, your surgeon will remove the cancerous tissue and some healthy tissue around it. They will use several techniques to achieve this depending on your circumstances, including an incision (a cut), or one that involves scraping away the cancerous cells.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is an effective form of treatment that uses high energy x-rays to eliminate cancer cells. There are two main types, which are external and internal radiotherapy. External beam radiotherapy omits radiotherapy beams at your body to target cancer cells from a machine. Internal radiotherapy involves administering radiotherapy to the cancer from inside your body. During this type of treatment, a small radioactive material called a source is put into your body, inside or close to the cancer. 

Targeted medicine and immunotherapy

This uses targeted energy to destroy cancer cells. You can have it alongside radiotherapy. There are several types of radiotherapy which vary depending on the type of cancer you have and its stage. Immunotherapy helps strengthen your immune system so your body can fight cancer cells. This can also help cancer from spreading. 

Photodynamic therapy

This treatment involves the use of a light-sensitive medicine and a light source that eliminates abnormal cells, including cancerous cells. The medicine and light are harmless independently, but when the medicine is exposed to the light is causes a reaction that damages nearby cells, including cancerous ones. 

Get help with a dermatologist today

Remember that although skin cancer is common, it is very treatable. No matter the type you have, there are many effective treatment options to help you make a fully recovery. If you have spotted changes to your skin, remember to follow our ABCDE approach to identify fwhether a mole or lesion might be suspicious. Always book an appointment with your GP or a consultant dermatologist to discuss this, even if just for peace of mind.

This blog has been clinically reviewed by consultant dermatologist Professor John Thomas Lear in October 2024. John Lear practices at The Alexandra Hospital in Manchester and specialises in the diagnosis and management of skin cancer and pigmented and precancerous lesions.

If you would like further information on British Skin Foundation, the work they do and the support they can provide, you can visit their website here.

If you think you need to see a consultant dermatologist, fast track your care and find a specialist here. 

Find out more about dermatology services at Circle Health Group here.