As the summer nears, warnings are starting to come out reminding people to wear sunscreen when outside as temperatures get warmer. Weather forecasters have predicted this summer could be a particularly hot one with heatwave conditions possible.
But with the warmer weather comes the heightened risk of skin cancer. According to figures from the NHS, around 147,000 new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer are diagnosed every year in the UK, with men and the elderly more likely to be affected.
Non-melanoma skin cancer is a group of cancers that "slowly develop in the upper layers of the skin", the NHS says. There is also a less common skin cancer group known as melanoma, which the NHS says "can be more serious".
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With the summery weather set to leave the UK basking in sunshine over the next few months, here is what the NHS advice says about skin cancer, including its symptoms and warning signs.
Symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancer
The NHS says: "The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a lump or discoloured patch on the skin that persists after a few weeks and slowly progresses over months or sometimes years. This is the cancer, or tumour.
"In most cases, cancerous lumps are red and firm and sometimes turn into ulcers, while cancerous patches are usually flat and scaly. Non-melanoma skin cancer most often develops on areas of skin regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, ears, hands, shoulders, upper chest and back."
It adds you should seek medical advice from your GP is you have "any skin abnormality, such as a lump, ulcer, lesion or skin discolouration that has not healed after four weeks". The NHS says: "While it's unlikely to be skin cancer, it's best to get it checked."
Types of non-melanoma skin cancer
The NHS says: "Non-melanoma skin cancers usually develop in the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and are often named after the type of skin cell from which they develop."
There are two types that are most common. They are:
- Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), also known as a rodent ulcer, starts in the cells lining the bottom of the epidermis and accounts for about 75 in every 100 skin cancers.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) starts in the cells lining the top of the epidermis and accounts for about 20 in every 100 skin cancers.
On the subject of these, the NHS says: "Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance. It can also look like a red, scaly patch. There's sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch.
"The lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer. Basal cell carcinoma does not usually spread to other parts of the body.
"Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) appears as a firm pink lump with a rough or crusted surface. There can be a lot of surface scale and sometimes even a spiky horn sticking up from the surface.
"The lump often feels tender when touched, bleeds easily and may develop into an ulcer. For both SCC and BCC there can sometimes be considerable skin damage if the tumour is not treated.
"There's a very small risk of squamous cell carcinoma spreading to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes (small glands found throughout your body)."
Another type on non-melanoma skin cancer is Bowen's disease. The NHS says: "Bowen's disease is a precancerous form of Squamous cell carcinoma SCC sometimes referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ. It develops slowly and is easily treated.
"The main sign is a red, scaly patch on the skin that may itch. It most commonly affects elderly women and is often found on the lower leg. However, it can appear on any area of skin.
"Although not classed as non-melanoma skin cancer, Bowen's disease can sometimes develop into SCC if left untreated."
There is also actinic keratoses, which the NHS says is also known as solar keratoses. These are "dry, scaly patches of skin caused by damage from years of sun exposure". It adds: "The patches can be pink, red or brown, and can vary in size from a few millimetres to a few centimetres across.
"The affected skin can sometimes become very thick, and occasionally the patches can look like small horns or spikes. Like Bowen's disease, actinic keratosis is not classed as non-melanoma skin cancer, but there's a small risk that the patches could develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if untreated."
What causes non-melanoma skin cancer?
The NHS says overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light - which comes from the sun as well as tanning sunbeds and sunlamps - is the main cause. Other risk factors include:
- A previous non-melanoma skin cancer.
- A family history of skin cancer.
- Pale skin that burns easily.
- A large number of moles or freckles.
- Taking medicine that suppresses your immune system.
- A co-existing medical condition that suppresses your immune system.
How is non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosed?
The NHS says: "A GP can examine your skin for signs of skin cancer. They may refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist) or a specialist plastic surgeon if they're unsure or suspect skin cancer.
"You'll have an urgent referral (within two weeks) if you have squamous cell skin cancer. Basal cell skin cancers usually do not need an urgent referral, but you should still see a specialist within 18 weeks.
"The specialist will examine your skin and may do a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of skin cancer. A biopsy is a procedure where some of the affected skin is removed so it can be examined."
How is non-melanoma skin cancer treated?
The NHS says: "Surgery is the main treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. It involves removing the cancerous tumour and some of the surrounding skin.
"Other treatments for non-melanoma skin cancer include freezing (cryotherapy), anti-cancer creams, radiotherapy and a form of light treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT). The treatment used will depend on the type, size and location of the non-melanoma skin cancer you have.
"Treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer is usually successful as, unlike most other types of cancer, there's a considerably lower risk that the cancer will spread to other parts of the body.
"BCC does not usually spread to other parts of the body. There's a small risk (up to five per cent) of SCC spreading to other parts of the body, usually the lymph nodes (small glands found throughout your body).
"However, for both BCC and SCC there can sometimes be considerable skin damage if the tumour is not treated. At least nine out of 10 non-melanoma skin cancer cases are successfully cured."
The NHS adds that people who have had non-melanoma skin cancer in the past have a chance of getting the condition again. This risk increases if the previous cancer was "large in size and high grade".
"If your cancer team feels there's a significant risk of non-melanoma skin cancer returning, you'll probably need regular check-ups to monitor your health," the NHS says.
"It's also important to be aware that if you've had a non-melanoma skin cancer, your risk of developing another one in the future is increased because these cancers are often multiple. This means it's important to regularly examine your skin to check for new tumours."
How to prevent non-melanoma skin cancer
While it not always preventable, there are ways to cut the chances of being diagnosed with the condition. This includes avoiding too much exposure to UV light.
Ways to protect yourself from overexposure to UV light includes:
- Using high-factor sunscreen.
- Dressing sensibly in the sun.
Limiting the amount of time you spend in the sun during the hottest part of the day.
Avoid using sunbeds and sunlamps.
Regularly check your skin for signs of skin cancer in order to help early diagnosis and increase the chances of successful treatment.
What is melanoma skin cancer?
The NHS says this type of skin cancer is:
- A type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body.
- The main cause is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.
- Things that increase your chances of getting melanoma include your age and having pale skin, a large number of moles and a family history of skin cancer.
- It's often possible to prevent skin cancer by being careful in the sun – for example, by using sunscreen and reapplying it regularly.
- How melanoma is treated depends on where it is, if it has spread to other areas of your body and your general health. Surgery is the main treatment.
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