The Hidden Threat on Your Skin: What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

25 August,2025

The Hidden Threat on Your Skin: What You Need to Know About Skin Cancer

Skin cancer

Skin cancer is cancer that starts as a growth of cells on the skin. The cells can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Sometimes the cells break away and spread to other parts of the body.

Many kinds of skin cancer exist. The most common skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. While these are the most common, they often can be cured. The most dangerous form of skin cancer is melanoma. It is more likely to spread, making it harder to cure.

Most skin cancers happen on skin that gets a lot of sunlight. The light that comes from the sun is thought to cause most skin cancers. You can reduce your risk of skin cancer by covering your skin with clothes or sunscreen to protect it from the sun.

Some skin cancers happen on skin that doesn't typically get sun. This likely means that something else is causing these cancers. To reduce your risk of these kinds of skin cancers, check your skin regularly for any changes. Report these changes to your healthcare professional.

Types

Basal cell carcinoma

Melanoma

Nonmelanoma skin cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Symptoms

What skin cancer looks like

Signs and symptoms of skin cancer include:

A new growth on the skin that might look like a mole, a bump or a scab.

A rough patch on the skin.

A sore on the skin that won't heal.

Changes to a mole or freckle, such as getting bigger or changing color.

Itchy skin around a skin growth.

Pain around a skin growth.

Where skin cancer happens

Most skin cancers happen on parts of the body that get a lot of sun. This includes the scalp, face, lips and ears. Other parts of the body that might get sun include the arms, backs of the hands, back and legs. Skin cancer also can happen on skin that typically doesn't get sun. This includes the palms of the hands, the genitals, and under the fingernails and toenails. When skin cancer happens in people with Black or brown skin, it tends to happen in these places that don't typically get sun.