Melanoma health centre

Melanoma/ Skin cancer overview

More than 2,600 people die from skin cancer each year in the UK. Of those, malignant melanoma kills around 2,000..Almost every day in the UK a woman aged between 20 and 29 is diagnosed with malignant melanoma. Experts believe ‘binge’ tanning and increased use of sunbeds is to blame, but early diagnosis and treatment can increase the survival rate. Skin cancers include malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Basal and squamous cell are common and treatment is very effective. Malignant melanoma, especially in later stages, is life-threatening. Treatment is more successful if caught early.

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NICE issues draft guidance rejecting ipilimumab (Yervoy) as too expensive for NHS use

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Understanding skin cancer -- diagnosis and treatment

How do I know if it's skin cancer?

All potentially cancerous skin growths must be removed to confirm a cancer diagnosis. Depending on the suspected type of skin cancer, the biopsy techniques vary slightly.

Any potential melanoma requires a surgical biopsy, also called excisional biopsy, in which the entire growth is removed with a scalpel. A pathologist then studies the sample under a microscope to determine whether cancer cells are present.

Understanding skin cancer -- diagnosis and treatment