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About Cancer

Skin cancer (Non melanoma skin cancers)

Non melanoma skin cancer is cancer that starts in the skin tissue. Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. Treatments might include surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

There are 2 main types of skin cancer: Non melanoma skin cancer and melanoma skin cancer.

This section is about non melanoma skin cancer. Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancers and other rare types.

Melanoma is a different type of skin cancer that develops from skin cells called melanocytes.

Find out about melanoma skin cancer

What is skin cancer?

Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types.

Skin cancer symptoms

Symptoms of skin cancer can include: a sore that doesn't heal, an area of skin that looks unusual, red, itchy, bleeds or scabs for more than 4 weeks.

Photos of skin cancer

See what different types of skin cancers might look like.

Getting diagnosed with skin cancer

See your GP if you are worried about or have symptoms of skin cancer. They will examine you and arrange for a biopsy if needed.

Survival for skin cancer

The cure rates for non melanoma skin cancers are very high.

Treatment for skin cancer

You usually have surgery to treat skin cancer, but you may have other treatments such as chemotherapy cream, radiotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy or photodynamic therapy.

Last reviewed: 24 Feb 2023

Next review due: 24 Feb 2026

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