Recognising the signs of skin cancer

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with about 100,000 cases reported each year (UK Skin Cancer Working Party, 2001). There are three main types of skin cancer, which can be divided into two categories: non-melanoma (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) and melanoma skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common and accounts for about 80 per cent of all skin cancers. Malignant melanoma is the least common type of skin cancer, accounting for about five per cent of all skin cancers. However, it has a high mortality rate because of its aggressive nature (Krige et al, 1991).