Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. It starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. Symptoms of melanoma include a change to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin. Your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer depends on many things. In the UK, too much ultraviolet radiation causes around 85 out of 100 melanomas (around 85%). Melanoma skin cancer is the 5th most common cancer overall in the UK.
Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC) often occurs on areas of exposed skin when outdoors like the neck or head. Harmful ultraviolet radiation (even on cloudy days) damages the skin and can lead to a NMSC developing. The first sign is often a lump or patch on the skin that doesn't heal after a few weeks. These lumps are often red and firm while the patches are mostly flat and scaly. Lesions may be crusty, form an ulcer, bleed and be painful. Most NMSC can be treated, often with a simple operation.
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