Your essential skin cancer checklist

Melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK have reached an all time high, according to Cancer Research UK. There are also more than 230,000 case of non-melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year.

The two types of non-melanoma cancers are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. They affect more than 200,000 people in the UK every year. Basal cell cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK - if spotted and treated early this presents a very low hazard to your health.

With 20,800 cases in the UK in 2024, melanoma diagnosis is not common, but it is increasing. By 2038-2040, melanoma skin cancer rates in the UK are projected to rise by 9% compared to 2023-2025 levels. While it does affect younger people, it definitely gets more common with age - around one third of people diagnosed are over 75.

Who's most at risk of melanoma?

Melanoma is a subject close to my heart, because unfortunately I tick all the boxes for having a high chance of developing it. I have red hair - some blondes are more susceptible too - freckles and the sort of pale skin that only has to look at a sun ray to turn red.

What's more, I had several episodes of severe sunburn in childhood, when the highest sun protection factor (SPF) in sun cream that existed was factor 12. Children's skin is particularly sensitive, and melanoma can develop many years after episodes of sunburn in childhood. Frequent or severe sunburn in childhood can lead to a higher likelihood of developing skin cancer in later life.

Your vulnerability to non-melanoma skin cancers largely depends on your lifetime sun exposure.

Melanomas, on the other hand, seem to be more closely related to how often you've been burned. Any colouring of your skin is your body's reaction to sun damage, but sunburn is particularly dangerous. People who have naturally dark skin have higher levels of melanin in the skin, which protects against both burning and melanoma.

But sun exposure isn't the only hazard. You're more likely to get a melanoma if other people in your family have it. Of course, this can be partly explained by inheriting pale skin and freckles, but there does seem to be another genetic link too. Around 1 in 10 people who get melanoma have a relative who had it.

Spotting non-melanoma skin cancer

Scalp and face are the most common sites for non-melanoma skin cancers, but like melanomas, they can appear anywhere.

Squamous cell cancers most often start as a pink or red area covered by a crust or scales. As they progress, they can become tender and raised - a bit like a wart - and can ulcerate. The surface is delicate and may bleed easily.

Basal cell cancers usually start with a lump which can be pearly, pink or red. Like squamous cell cancers, basal cell cancers can crust or bleed, but this often takes more time as they tend to grow very slowly. As a rule, they are not painful or tender.

ABCDE melanoma

You should also watch out for redness and inflammation, crusting, itching, a change in sensation of the skin, bleeding or oozing.

Protecting yourself against skin cancer

Even if you've had sunburn as a child or have freckled, pale skin, it's never too late to protect yourself against skin cancer. While you need some sun to top up your vitamin D levels, you should always avoid burning, and ideally tanning - this includes sunbeds, which emit UV light.

Covering up with a wide-brimmed hat and shirt - ideally long-sleeved - in bright sunlight will help prevent harm. Sun damage can affect your eyes and you can get melanoma in them - wraparound sunglasses work very well for this. Stay inside when sun is at its strongest between 11 am and 3 pm. And apply high sun protection factor cream - at least factor 30, or factor 50 if you're pale or freckled.

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