Skin cancer: identification and primary prevention

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the UK and the most costly to the NHS. Its prevalence in the UK continues to rise despite public health promotions that encourage people to be “sun smart”. However, it is also the most preventable type of cancer. Skin cancer can be classified as non-malignant, pre-malignant and malignant. This article will focus on the three most common types of malignant skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC); Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC); Melanoma Malignant skin cancers can also be classed as melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC).