Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer.

Types of skin cancer

There are three main types of skin cancer:

• basal cell carcinoma,
• squamous cell carcinoma , and
• malignant melanoma.

Malignant melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer because the cancer can spread to other organs in the body (metastasis). Although it is relatively rare - accounting for 10% of all skin cancer cases - malignant melanoma is responsible for the most deaths.

Incidence of skin cancer

The number of skin cancer cases has risen over the past ten years. The increase is thought to be due to:

• an increase in the number of people taking holidays in hot climates, and
• the growing popularity of the 'tanned look', and associated use of tanning booths, and sun lamps.

A range of treatment options have proved successful in treating skin cancer. However, the condition can be easily prevented by taking sensible precautions, and avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight.