Skin cancer

Growing up in Australia means a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Two out of three Australians will be treated for skin cancer during their lives.

Every time our skin is exposed to UVR, the structure of our skin cells changes. Too much UVR exposure can cause irreversible damage to the DNA of skin cells and one damaged cell can start a deadly melanoma growing.

Tanning can lead to sunburn, premature ageing, eye damage and skin cancers.

There are three types of skin cancer, but all are caused when skin cells are damaged by UVR. The different types of skin cancer are caused by damage to different parts of the skin:

• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
  
  
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
  
  
• Melanoma
  
  

BCCs and SCCs are the most common skin cancers and are often grouped together as non-melanoma skin cancers. These cancers do not usually spread to other parts of the body, although they do require prompt treatment to prevent this from happening. They also tend to be less dangerous than melanoma.