Skin cancer
There are two main types of skin cancer: non-melanoma skin cancer, which is very common, and malignant melanoma, which is less common but more serious. Around 10,400 cases of melanoma are diagnosed each year in the UK. It is estimated that at least 100,000 people get non-melanoma skin cancer every year in the UK.
Melanoma is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in young adults aged 15-34. The rates of malignant melanoma have increased dramatically over the last 30 years. The first sign of melanoma is usually a mole that changes in shape, size or colour.
Excessive exposure to the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Using sunbeds also increases the risk of skin the disease. People with a close family member who has been diagnosed with malignant melanoma also have a greater than average risk of the cancer.
Cancer Research UK is one of the major funders of skin cancer research in the UK. We also play a vital role in raising public awareness of skin cancer, early symptoms and the dangers of too much sun exposure, through our national SunSmart campaign.
Browse content about Skin cancer
- April 2009 podcast transcript
- Briefings: sun awareness
- Dr Charlotte Proby
- Dr Robert Newton
- June 2009 podcast transcript
- Our progress and achievements from 1902 to 1959
- Prof Alan Storey
- Prof Fiona Watt
- Prof Lesley Rhodes
- Prof Richard Marais
- Skin Cancer molecular biology and genetics
- Skin Cancer risk factors
- Skin Cancer symptoms and treatment
- Skin cancer - survival statistics
- Skin cancer research
- Skin cancer statistics - Key Facts
- Sunbeds and skin cancer risk
- UK Skin Cancer incidence statistics
- UK Skin Cancer mortality statistics
- Visit our SunSmart microsite
Browse news and press releases about Skin cancer
- "Light bandage" to treat skin cancer say researchers
- Booklets may alter women's attitudes to tanning
- Britons still failing to protect against skin cancer
- Campaigners want education on skin cancer
- Cancer Research UK cautious over new vitamin D research
- Cancer Research UK issues school holiday warning
- Cheeky Girls say "get SunSmart on your cheeky holiday"
- Committee calls for increased regulation of tanning salon industry
- Cricketers in England to get skin cancer tests
- Darker skin associated with later skin cancer detection and higher mortality
- Deadly skin cancer now threatens women in their twenties
- Dying for a tan: exposing the risks of using a sunbed
- Edinburgh scientists breed zebrafish with 'melanoma gene'
- European Commission issues sunscreen recommendations
- Holiday 'binge tanning' increasing skin cancer risk for young brits
- Ireland sees 75 per cent rise in melanoma in women under 50
- Mediterranean diet may halve risk of skin cancer
- Melanoma deaths in men soar
- Melanoma survival rate 'dependent on location'
- Molecular superfamily causes melanoma spread
- New drug delivery system may improve skin cancer treatment
- New skin cancer unit opens in Dundee
- Non-melanoma skin cancer linked with increased risk for other cancers
- Pesticide and skin cancer link not proven
- Report calls for under-18 sunbed ban
- Schools fail to protect pupils from the sun
- Scientists close to finding melanoma gene
- Scientists determine 'scent' of skin cancer
- Scientists eavesdrop on spread of cancer
- Scientists unravel crucial skin cancer switch
- Singer Sandi Thom ages 30 years to warn young people about sunbeds
- Skin cancer fears may increase risk of bone thinning disease
- Skin cancer time bomb for young Britons
- Study suggests chemotherapy cream may improve appearance of ageing skin
- Sunbathers openly admit they are damaging their health
- Sunburnt holiday-makers boost their chances of fatal skin cancer
- Targeting skin cancer relatives improves screening says study
- Three quarters of Britons confused by sun warnings
- US research rewrites understanding of skin cancer
- Union warns outdoor workers on sun exposure dangers
- Vitamin D helps improve survival from bowel and skin cancer
- Winter skin cancer warning as more Brits than ever head for the sun
- Avoiding direct sunlight and covering up is 'best protection against skin cancer'
- Britain has more skin cancer deaths than Australia
- Burnt Brits don't feel hot
- Cancer Research UK cautious over "promising" skin cancer gene therapy
- Cancer Research UK gets SunSmart with the big screen
- Celebrities say be SunSmart this winter
- Coffee and exercise 'no substitute' for proper sun protection
- Cream to be tested as skin cancer cure
- Crucial gene is the key to skin cancer
- Deadly skin cancer cases hit record high
- Deadly skin cancer set to treble
- Early sunbed use ups melanoma risk 75%
- England's World Cup rugby stars help kick cancer into touch.
- Expert warns of skin cancer 'time bomb' as cases continue to rise
- Hollyoaks star bares all under the spotlight to highlight dangers of sunbeds
- Ladyhawke to play a special "one ticket" gig - winner gets to invite 400 people from social network
- Melanoma appears to defy cancer stem cell theory
- Melanoma immune system drug "extremely encouraging"
- Men more likely to die from melanoma than women says study
- NICE issues new skin cancer guidelines
- New skin cancer research centre opens in Bristol
- New technology adds weight to viral cancer link
- Over a third of parents admit sunburn slip
- Report calls for targeted skin cancer prevention campaigns
- Researchers close in on laser-based skin cancer scanner
- Scientists close in on new skin cancer gene
- Scientists confirm new route to skin cancer
- Scientists develop drugs to block skin cancer protein
- Scientists uncover virus's role in skin cancer
- Scientists unravel pathway in skin cancer development
- Skin cancer awareness must start in childhood, say US scientists
- Skin cancer puts people at higher risk of new cancer
- Skin cell discovery could provide cancer insight
- Sun exposure behind runners' skin cancer risk says study
- Sunbed regulation vital to protect young people
- Survey shows most people ignore sun safety advice despite fears of skin cancer
- Teenagers not learning from parent's cancer
- Tougher standards needed for high street mole clinics
- UVB more damaging to skin than UVA
- Using sunbeds under 35 could prove fatal
- Wales' health minister plans to ban child sunbed use
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