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About skin cancer | Get to know your skin | What is skin cancer? | What causes skin cancer? | Skin cancer risk factors
Skin cancer can hide in plain sight and in places we might not expect.
At any time, skin cancer signs can become visible in the form of new spots, changes in colour or shape of existing spots.
That's why it's important to get to know your skin and check it regularly. If you notice any changes, visit your GP as soon as possible.
How to check your skin
About skin cancer
Although almost entirely preventable, two in three Australians will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
UV radiation causes damage to the skin cells' DNA. The repeated exposure to the sun's UV in people's daily lives increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.
Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer as it can spread from your skin to vital organs, including your lungs, liver and brain.
At any time, potential skin cancer signs will become visible in the form of new spots, change in colour or shape of spots.
Get to know your skin
More than 70% of skin cancers are found by people themselves or by their loved ones.
As you can see and are familiar with your skin, you are more likely to detect skin cancer.
That’s why it’s important to get to know your skin and check it regularly.
If you notice any changes, visit your GP as soon as possible.
Knowing your skin and checking it regularly will give you and your loved ones peace of mind.
The sooner skin cancer is found, the easier it is to treat.
What to spot when looking for skin cancer
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the skin.
The three main types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. BCC and SCC are also called non-melanoma skin cancer or keratinocyte cancer.
Melanoma
In Australia, melanoma is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Melanoma is considered the deadliest form of skin cancer as it can spread from your skin to vital organs including your lungs, liver and brain.
Melanoma can grow quickly and vary greatly in the way it looks. The first sign is often a new spot or a change in an existing mole.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
SCC is the second most common type of skin cancer and can grow quickly over several weeks or months. If left untreated, SCCs can spread to other parts of the body.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
BCC is the most common type of skin cancer and usually grows slowly over months or years and only rarely spreads to other parts of the body. If left untreated, some BCCs can grow deeper into the skin, invade nerves and damage nearby tissue, making treatment more difficult.
What causes skin cancer?
More than 95% of skin cancers are caused by exposure to UV radiation.
UV radiation most often comes from the sun, but it can also come from artificial sources like solariums or sunbeds.
Solariums are banned for commercial use in Australia as research shows that people who use solariums have a much greater risk of developing skin cancer.
How to protect your skin from UV
Skin cancer risk factors
While skin cancer can affect anyone, there are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of being diagnosed.
People are considered high-risk if they:
- work outdoors or spend a lot of time outside
- have a family or personal history of skin cancer
- have a history of unprotective UV exposure or bad sunburns
- have lots of moles on their skin
- have a history of suntanning or use of sunbeds
- have a skin type that is easily damaged by UV radiation
- take immunosuppressive drugs.
If you are at high risk of skin cancer, speak to your GP about a surveillance plan so your skin is checked regularly and monitored.