Skin

Understanding cancer
Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place. But sometimes this process goes wrong.

Basal cell cancer
Basal cell cancer (BCC) is a type of skin cancer caused by exposure to the sun. It is also called rodent ulcer.

Risk factors for skin cancer
Doctors can't explain why one person develops skin cancer and another doesn't. But research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely to get it than others.

What’s a mole, anyway?
A mole is basically a brownish spot or blemish on the skin. The darker hue is provided by melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.

Are you at risk of skin cancer?
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you are at risk of skin cancer.

How to do a skin self-examination
Are you at risk of skin cancer? Then your doctor may recommend that you do a regular skin self-examination. Follow this step-by-step guide.

The three types of skin cancer
Exposure to sunlight can increase your risk of developing one or more of the three types of skin cancer.

Melanoma
Melanoma is a potentially serious skin cancer that develops from normal skin cells called melanocytes.

Skin cancer symptoms
Most basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers can be cured if found and treated early. Here's what to look out for.

How is skin cancer diagnosed?
If you have a change on the skin, your doctor must find out whether it's due to cancer or to some other cause. This usually involves a biopsy.

Beating skin cancer
There isn’t really anything like a healthy suntan. All damage to your skin is accumulative and sunburn at 16 could very well mean skin cancer at 35.

Sunbeds a killer
Before you consider hitting that sunbed to maintain your summer tan, take note that experts are warning that sunbed use can increase your risk of deadly skin cancer by up to 75%.