Skin Cancer

Skin cancer develops when UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells, most often from cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime, but also from episodes of sunburn, particularly during childhood and adolescence. Other UV sources, including solariums and tanning beds, carry the same risk.

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Diagnosis usually starts with a visual and dermoscopic examination — using a handheld magnifying device called a dermatoscope to look at a spot's structure beneath the surface. If a spot looks suspicious, your dermatologist will generally recommend a biopsy, where all or part of the lesion is removed and sent to a laboratory for confirmation. This is the only way to confirm a skin cancer diagnosis with certainty.

This depends on your individual risk factors, so it's worth discussing your personal schedule with your dermatologist. As a general guide, people with average risk are often advised to have a professional skin check annually, while those with a personal or family history of skin cancer, a high mole count, or other significant risk factors may need to be checked more frequently. Checking your own skin regularly between professional checks — and knowing what's normal for you — makes it easier to notice changes early.

Certain factors significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer:

• Fair skin, light-coloured eyes, and red or fair hair — skin that burns easily and tans poorly carries the highest risk
• A history of sunburn, especially blistering sunburn earlier in life
• High cumulative sun exposure, including outdoor work or leisure without adequate protection
• A large number of moles, or atypical (dysplastic) moles
• A personal or family history of skin cancer, particularly melanoma
• A weakened immune system, including from certain medications or medical conditions
• Older age, reflecting cumulative sun exposure over time, though skin cancer can occur at any age

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reatment depends on the type, size, and location of the skin cancer, and may include:

• Surgical excision — removing the lesion along with a margin of normal skin, the standard treatment for most skin cancers
• Mohs micrographic surgery — a precise surgical technique that checks tissue margins during the procedure, often used for skin cancers on the face or other cosmetically or functionally sensitive areas
• Topical treatments — creams such as imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil, used for select superficial BCCs
• Curettage and electrodesiccation, or cryotherapy — scraping or freezing techniques used for some low-risk, superficial lesions
• Radiation therapy — sometimes used where surgery isn't suitable
• Immunotherapy and targeted therapy — used for more advanced melanoma

Where a lesion is removed from the face or another visible area, reconstructive techniques — from simple closure to skin flaps or grafts — are often used to repair the resulting defect and minimise the visible impact.

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We recommend seeing a dermatologist if:

• You notice a new spot, or an existing spot that's changing in size, shape, colour, or texture
• You have a sore that hasn't healed within a few weeks, or that bleeds or crusts repeatedly
• You've never had a professional skin check, or it's been over a year since your last one
• You have significant risk factors, such as a personal or family history of skin cancer, a high mole count, or a history of significant sun exposure or sunburn
• A spot looks different from your other moles, or is simply worrying you — trust your instincts and have it checked

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