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Melanoma health centre

Melanoma/ Skin cancer overview

Overall, melanoma kills around 1,800 people in the UK each year. Almost every day in the UK a woman 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 melanoma, basal cell, and squamous cell. Basal and squamous cell are common and treatment is very effective; malignant melanoma, especially in later stages of melanoma, is serious and treatment is easier if caught early.

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Bid to ban child sunbed use

– Children and young people could be banned from using sunbeds if proposals by an MP become law.

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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 biopsied to confirm a cancer diagnosis. Depending on the suspected type of skin cancer, the biopsy techniques vary slightly but crucially.

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