What is skin cancer?

Skin cancer is an abnormal growth of skin cells.  It is the most common type of cancer with around 100,000 people diagnosed every year in the UK. There are 2 categories of skin cancers:

• Melanoma
  • This is a less common type of skin cancer that can spread throughout the whole body. They are the most dangerous type of skin cancer and usually develop through existing moles or freckles. Melanomas can also appear as new marks on the skin and can be painful.
• Non-melanoma
  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCCs) and Squamous cell carcinoma (SCCs) are the two types of non-melanoma skin cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancers are more common than melanomas.
  • Non-melanomas usually appear in areas that have been exposed to the sun, although they can appear anywhere on the body.
  • They are not usually painful.

Symptoms

Melanoma

• Asymmetry
  • The mole or the affected area, will usually be an uneven shape.
  • Normal moles will have a more symmetrical appearance.
• Border
  • The border of a melanoma is likely to be irregular or jagged.
  • A normal mole will typically have a regular or smooth border.
• Colour
  • Melanomas usually appear uneven in colour and are usually more than one shade. The colours can range from black, brown, and pink.
  • A normal mole will usually be an even colour.
• Diameter
  • Melanomas are usually more than 6mm wide.
  • Normal moles are usually the size of the end of a pencil or smaller.
• Evolving
  • The size, colour and shape of a melanoma may change. You may also experience bleeding, itching or crust forming on the mole.
  • It is unlikely that a normal mole will have any changes.

Non-melanoma

• A scab or sore that has not healed for over 4 weeks.
• A scaly of crusty patch of skin that is red or inflamed.
• A fresh coloured bump that will not go away and grows in size.
• A volcano like growth with a rim and a centra crater.

Diagnosis

Melanoma

If you believe you have symptoms of a melanoma, you should visit your GP straight away. Your GP will carry out several examinations, such as:

• Measuring the mole.
• Take a photo to record changes.
• Examine it with a dermatoscope.

You GP may either refer you to a skin specialist such as a consultant dermatologist or may refer you to a teledermatology clinic. The specialist will take an excision biopsy of part of the mole, which will then be analysed by a pathologist.

Non-Melanoma

Similarly to a melanoma, once you start to see symptoms of a non-melanoma, you must visit your GP. Your GP will examine the suspected area and if necessary, will refer you to a specialist.  

The specialist will carry out a further physical examination and will take a biopsy of either part or all of the suspected area.

Treatments

If detected early, most skin cancers can be cured.

Melanoma

Treatment for melanoma is usually to have it removed in hospital. If the melanoma is large or deep, then the doctor may recommend radiotherapy instead, to lower the chances of scarring. Further tests are likely to be carried out if the melanoma is deep, as this will determine whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Non-Melanoma

If the biopsy comes back positive for non-melanoma, then the tumour will be removed, and no further treatment will be required.     

Useful information

The best form of protection to lower your chances of developing skin cancer is, to cover up when in the sun. If you are frequently in the sun, it is important to use sun creams that have a high SPF factor of at least 30. Remember to check your skin regularly for any changes.   

Below are links to several websites that will provide you with further information and support.

• Macmillan
• British Skin Foundation
• Cancer Research- Melanoma
• Cancer Research- Non-Melanoma
• Melanoma Focus

If you or a family member has any of the above symptoms, please seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Moosa-Duke Solicitors is a specialist firm of clinical negligence lawyers with extensive experience in claims involving cancer misdiagnosis and delay in diagnosis. If you are concerned about the care that you or a family member has received in relation to a skin cancer diagnosis, please contact our specialist team on 0116 254 7456 for a no-obligation consultation.