Melanoma Skin Cancer

Frequently asked questions about melanoma skin cancer

• Is melanoma skin cancer hereditary?

  Regardless of your skin type and family history, everyone is at risk of damage to the skin through sun exposure and developing skin cancer.

  The risk of melanoma is increased where there is a history of melanoma in an immediate family member (first degree relative).

• What causes melanoma skin cancer?

  The main risk factor for melanoma skin cancer is damage to skin cells through exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. This includes periods of sunburn, particularly during childhood. Skin cells can also be damaged through exposure to artificial UV sources such as tanning beds.

  Other risk factors include:

  • Having a large number of moles or increased number of unusual moles

  • Fair skin

  • Freckles

  • Light eye and hair colour

  • A tendency for skin to burn rather than tan

  • Being immunosuppressed – If your natural immune system is weakened (known as being immunosuppressed), you are at an increased risk of developing skin cancers, particularly aggressive skin cancers.

  • Previous history of having melanoma or non-melanoma skin cancers

• How common is melanoma skin cancer?

  Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK, but most skin cancers can be cured if detected early.

  There are around 17,500 new melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK every year, that’s 48 every day.

• What can I do to decrease my risk of melanoma skin cancer?

  There are numerous factors that can reduce your risk of developing melanoma skin cancers.

  These include:

  • Avoiding sun exposure – The main way to minimise your risk of melanoma skin cancer is to reduce your sun exposure as best as possible, including avoiding the sun during the hottest parts of the day. If you can’t stay out of the sun, then it’s important to cover your exposed body areas as best as you can

  • Protect your skin with sunscreen – It is recommended that you wear SPF50+ sunscreen and apply this liberally and frequently while you are exposed to the sun. Applying sunscreen is encouraged as part of your daily ritual

  • Get regular skin cancer checks – Get your skin checked regularly by a doctor who specialises in skin cancer, particularly when you start to notice any sun damage or changes to your skin.

  Protecting your skin can reduce the number of cancers you get and the aggressiveness of these cancers. If you have previously had skin cancer, you are more likely to develop further skin cancers as you already have some level of sun damage.

• When should I start getting skin cancer checks?

  As we get older, it’s very common to start to develop signs of sun damage. This is why you should get your skin checked by a doctor that specialises in skin cancers. It is recommended that you have a skin cancer check once every 12 months, however this will depend on your individual circumstances. If you are showing signs of sun damage, your doctor may encourage you to get skin cancer checks more regularly.

  Regardless of the level of sun damage or the type of skin cancer, the earlier skin cancer is diagnosed, the better it can be treated and managed.

• Where can I find out more about melanoma skin cancer screening?

  If you notice any changes in your skin that resemble melanoma symptoms, we encourage you to make an appointment with a doctor who specialises in skin cancer.

• Should you protect your eyes as well as your skin from the sun?

  It’s important to protect all areas of your body from the sun, including your eyes. Unprotected sun exposure can result in burns to the eyes, just like the skin, leading to cancer of the cornea (the outermost layer of the eye) or conjunctiva (thin layer that covers the front part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids) and increasing the risk of cataracts.

• What about the benefits of sun exposure to our skin for vitamin D levels?

  There is strong evidence to suggest that vitamin D is essential to strengthen bones and maintain skeletal health. While some vitamin D can be obtained from diet, our main source of vitamin D is from the sun. You don’t need to sunbathe to get enough vitamin D. Most people in the UK can make enough by spending short periods of time in the sun.