standard-title Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Australia, with New Zealand, has the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

2 out of 3 Australians will develop a skin cancer before the age of 75. Skin cancers are the most common type of cancer in Australia, and 4 out of 5 new cancer cases are skin cancers.

Fortunately, most skin cancers are rarely deadly, but melanoma is the third most common life-threatening cancer overall (after lung cancer and bowel cancer).

Sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancers, where getting sunburnt increases the risk of developing melanoma. Long term excessive sun exposure increases the risk of other skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Your risk of skin cancer is related to your skin type, age, family history and previous skin cancers.

Check your risk at: scanyourskin.org

The three most common skin cancers are:

BCC (Basal Cell Carcinoma)

  • The most common skin cancer (>70%)
  • Usually appears as pink lumps on the skin
  • Can ulcerate, bleed and itch

SCC (Squamous Cell Carcinoma)

  • The second most common skin cancer (25%)
  • Usually arises from sunspots (solar keratoses)
  • Usually appears as dry scaling red spots, often tender and sore
  • Can spread through to lymph glands (uncommon)

Melanoma

  • Around 3% of skin cancers are melanomas
  • The most serious skin cancer, as it can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream
  • Can arise anywhere on the body, including areas with no sun exposure