Skin cancers
Skin cancers arise from the skin. They are due to the development of abnormal cells that have the ability to invade and spread to other parts of the body. There are three main types of skin cancers Basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and melanoma. The first two, along with a number of less common skin cancers, are known as non-melanoma skin cancer.
Basal cell cancer grows slowly and can damage the tissue around it. 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 skin 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.
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