DONATE TO SKCIN

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE HELP US TO STOP SKIN CANCER TAKING MORE LIVES. WE ARE HUGELY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

Types of Skin Cancer

Types of skin cancer

There are two main types of skin cancer, Non-Melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) and Melanoma skin cancer, which is the most serious type of skin cancer.

Non-Melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)
There are two main types of Non-Melanoma skin cancers - these are:
Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Both these skin cancers are named after the types of skin cells from which the cancer develops.
It is also possible for a NMSC to be mixture of both these types.

Melanoma skin cancer
Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous type of skin cancer.
There are 4 main types of melanoma:
Lentigo maligna [LM], Superficial spreading [SSMM],
Nodular Melanoma (NM), and Acral lentiginous [ALMM]

Pre-cancerous skin lesions
It is also important to look out for pre-cancerous skin lesions such as:
Actinic Keratosis and Intra-Epidermal Carcinoma (Bowen's Disease).
Bowen's Disease is an early form of Non Melanoma Skin Cancer which can, if left untreated
develop into Sqamous Cell Carcinoma.

Find in-depth information on all of these skin conditions and more
by clicking on the appropriate links below.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers (NMSC)

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It grows slowly over months and years and may damage nearby tissues and organs if left untreated.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is less common but grows faster. It may spread to other parts of the body and if left untreated can be deadly.

Melanoma Skin Cancers

Melanoma

Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous type of skin cancer. It is often fast growing and can spread to other parts of the body to form a new cancer.

Pre-Cancerous Skin Lesions

Actinic Keratosis

Actinic Keratosis (AK) is also known as Solar Keratosis caused by UV radiation, is the most common precancer which can advance to Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Intra-Epidermal Carcinoma (Bowen's Disease)

Bowen's Disease is a precancerous skin lesion that has not yet penetrated the basement membrane, but can if left untreated, lead to Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Rarer Skin Cancers

Merkel cell carcinoma & rarer skin cancers

Find out about some rarer forms of skin cancer such as Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and Kaposi's sarcoma

Sun Safety & Skin Cancer Booklet
Sun Safety & Skin Cancer Booklet
Download all you need to
know in one handy little book
DOWNLOAD NOW
Skin Cancer Prevention Top Tips
Skin Cancer Prevention Top Tips
Look after your skin and follow
the golden rules of sun safety
LEARN MORE
Sunbeds Can Cause Melanoma!
Sunbeds Can Cause Melanoma!
Sunbeds are not safe - fact! Find
out the truth and misconceptions
LEARN MORE
Spotlight Topics
Karen’s Story
MELANOMA
Real Life Stories
Karen’s Story
MELANOMA
LEARN MORE

Articles of interest

SIG ROOFING PARTNERS WITH SKCIN

  Aptly timed during skin cancer awareness month, National roofing merchant SIG Roofing has announ...


SKCIN Launches Groundbreaking Sun Safe Workplaces Accreditation Programme for Employers of Outdoor Workers.

 SKCIN, a charity that specialises in the prevention and early detection of skin cancer through educational interve...


 AHEAD OF NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN MAY, BRITISH BEAUTY BACKS VAT BURN CAMPAIGN AMIDST SKIN CANC...


SUNAK WARNED MELANOMA CASES WILL INCREASE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT ACTION

   Skcin are proud to support SNP MP Amy Callaghan with her on-going VAT Burn Campaign as she...


SKCIN AND NEW COLLEGE LANARKSIRE - WORKING IN COLLABORATION TO HELP COMBAT THE RISISNG INCIDENCE OF SKIN CANCER IN SCOTLAND

SKCIN are delighted to highlight a positive initiative by New College Lanarkshire in Motherwell. The college is supporti...


Sun Safe Schools
Sun Safe Schools
National primary school accreditation scheme developed by Skcin to teach children and assist schools and parents on the importance of sun safety
LEARN MORE
Sun Safe Nurseries
Sun Safe Nurseries
National pre-school accreditation scheme developed by Skcin to teach children and assist settings and parents on the importance of sun safety
LEARN MORE
Sun Safe Workplaces
Sun Safe Workplaces
National workplace accreditation scheme developed by Skcin to teach outdoor workers and employers the importance of sun safety
LEARN MORE
MASCED.UK
MASCED.UK
National Accreditation Scheme for hair, health and beauty professionals to promote the prevention and early detection of skin cancer and save lives.
LEARN MORE