Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells.

It occurs when un-repaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations, or genetic defects, that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumours.

 
 
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 What does skin cancer look like?

  • Crusty sores that won’t heal

  • Small red, pale or pearly lumps

  • Any new spots, freckles or moles that change in colour, size, shape

  • Thickness over a period of weeks to months

  • Any spots that are dark brown to black, red or blue-black in colour

 How to look?

Remember to check, your face, neck and ears, scalp, front and back of torso, buttocks, arms, legs, hands, palms, feet, soles, and between fingers and toes and finger and toenails. It may help to use a hand held mirror

You may also like to ask your partner or a person you trust to help you look in areas such as your back and scalp which you often cannot see

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How often should you look?

You should check your own skin every three months

You should have your skin checked with your GP or at our skin cancer clinics once every year or as advised by your Doctor.