Skin cancers are
cancers that arise from the
skin. They are due to the development of abnormal
cells that have the ability to invade or
spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types:
basal-cell cancer (BCC),
squamous-cell cancer (SCC) and
melanoma. The first two together along with a number of less common skin cancers are known as nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Basal-cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it but is unlikely to spread to distant areas or result in death. It often appears as a painless raised area of skin, that may be shiny with
small blood vessel running over it or may present as a raised area with an
ulcer. Squamous-cell cancer is more likely to spread. It usually presents as a hard lump with a scaly top but may also form an ulcer. Melanomas are the most aggressive. Signs include a
mole that has changed in size, shape, color, has irregular edges, has more than one color, is itchy or bleeds.