
About Cancer
Skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancers and other rare types. These skin cancers are known as non melanoma skin cancer.
There are 2 main types of skin cancer: Non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer. This section is about non melanoma skin cancer.
Melanoma is a different type of skin cancer that develops from skin cells called melanocytes.
Find out about melanoma skin cancer
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types.
Symptoms of skin cancer can include: a sore that doesn't heal, an area of skin that looks unusual, red, itchy, bleeds or scabs for more than 4 weeks.
See what different types of skin cancers might look like.
See your GP if you are worried about or have symptoms of skin cancer. They will examine you and arrange for a biopsy if needed.
The cure rates for non melanoma skin cancers are very high.
You usually have surgery to treat skin cancer, but you may have other treatments such as chemotherapy cream, radiotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.
The 2 main types of non melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
The stage of cancer tells you its size and whether it has spread. The grade tells you how much the cancer cells look like normal cells.
Researchers are looking at the causes, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.
Get support to cope during and after skin cancer treatment, including how to protect your skin in the sun.
Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. There are some other factors that can increase your risk.
Last reviewed: 24 Feb 2023
Next review due: 24 Feb 2026

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