Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer at the moment. Everyone can get skin cancer but those whose skin burns rather then tans are more at risk. In fact the lighter the skin, the eyes and the hair the more at risk the person is. Family predisposition to cancer also plays a role with those with a history of cancers being in the riskier group.

What is the main cause of skin cancer?

Long-term exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. The suns radiation penetrates through the skin causing damage to the cells that in turn could result in the formation of cancer.

What are the types of skin cancer?

The most common kinds of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. The basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer that usually appears on the face or exposed areas of the body. This kind of cancer is usually easily treatable. The squamous cell carcinoma is less common then the basal cell carcinoma, and is usually also fairly easy to treat. The malignant melanoma is the least common of all three but it is also the most deadly.

What are the early warning signs?

The ABCD's of melanoma are as follows:

• A - Asymmetry (common moles are round and symmetrical)
• B - Border (skin cancers usually have irregular borders)
• C - Color (is it all one colour of does it vary in shades of brown, tan, black, red, white, and blue)
• D - Diameter (if a mole is larger then 6mm or ¼ inch in diameter it could be bad news)
• E - Evolution (is the mole changing?)
  
  

  How dcan and mole change?

  It is also important to watch out for changes in:
  
  
• Size - especially if the mole suddenly gets larger
• Bleeding - a mole starts bleeding
• Surrounding skin - the skin around the mole turns red
• Sensation - a mole starts itching.
  
  

  How can skin cancer be prevented?

  Ideally, people should avoid the sun (from 10AM to 4PM). Whenever possible, wear protective clothing, like hats, sunglasses and clothes, that can block out the sun's harmful rays. Always use sunscreens that contain high factors (SPF 60+) to protect your skin. For more information, check out our Skin Protection section. Remember that the sun doesn't only burn at the beach. Always protect yourself!