Skin cancer in Britain: how to recognize deadly symptoms in the early stage.

According to The Sun: We, the British, love our short rays of sunshine after long, cold winters.

But even just a few weeks of wonderful sunny weather a year can be devastatingly harmful to our skin.

As with any cancer, the chances of survival are best when the disease is detected quickly.

It's important to pay attention to the ABCs when checking moles

Unfortunately, every year thousands of people in the UK die from skin sarcoma, despite nearly nine out of ten cases of the deadliest form being preventable.

There are various forms of skin cancer, which are generally divided into non-melanoma and melanoma.

What is skin cancer?

Non-melanoma skin cancer

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a group of cancers that develop slowly in the upper layers of the skin.

Cells in the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) are most susceptible to damage from sunlight.

The most common cells in the epidermis are called keratinocytes.

These cells are constantly sloughing off as new ones form. However, when skin is exhausted by the sun, it causes DNA damage.

Over time, this becomes a problem. It leads to uncontrolled cell growth, resulting in cancerous tumors.

Melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other organs in the body.

Melanocytes are cells in the skin that give our skin its color, as they produce a pigment known as melanin.

When you sit in the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment (tan), which spreads to other skin cells to protect them from the sun's rays.

But melanocytes are also where cancer begins.

Too much ultraviolet radiation causes sunburn, which is a sign of skin DNA damage.

Ultraviolet light causes changes in melanocytes, making the genetic material faulty and leading to abnormal cell growth.

People who burn easily are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer, as their cells do not produce as much pigment to protect the skin.

Those who have albinism face the greatest risk, as their skin produces no pigment at all.

Does skin with cancer itch?

The complexity of whether skin can itch may be a sign of skin cancer

New or changed spots on the skin are the most common signs of skin cancer. In some cases, itching may cause the spot to be noticed. Itching can indicate various issues, so if it's the only symptom and doesn't go away, consult a doctor.

What are the symptoms?

Melanoma

The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole or a change in an existing mole.

Most experts recommend using the simple rule 'ABCDE' to detect symptoms of melanoma skin cancer, which can appear anywhere on the body.

• Asymmetry - melanomas usually have two very different halves and an irregular shape
• Border - melanomas usually have a scalloped or uneven border
• Colors - melanomas are usually a combination of two or more colors
• Diameter - most melanomas are usually larger than 6mm in diameter
• Enlargement or elevation - a mole that changes in size over time is likely a melanoma

In women, the most common specific site for the development of melanoma skin cancer in the UK is the legs.

Men are more likely to see melanomas on their torso - on their back or torso.

Non-melanoma

The first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer is usually the appearance of a growth or discolored patch on the skin, notes the NHS.

It persists after several weeks and slowly progresses over months or sometimes years.

In most cases, cancerous growths are red and hard, and may sometimes become ulcers. Cancerous areas are usually flat and scaly.

The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is sometimes referred to as rodent ulcer, and affects the outermost layers of cells in the skin.

Signs of BCC include the presence of a skin growth that:

• Looks smooth and pearly
• Looks waxy
• Has the appearance of a firm, red bump
• Bleeds occasionally
• Develops a crust or scab
• Never fully heals
• Is tender
• Looks like a flat red patch and is scaly and brown
• Transforms into a painless ulcer

Approximately 75 percent of all skin cancer cases are BCC. They usually grow slowly and almost never spread to other parts of the body.

If treated in its early stages, this form of skin cancer is generally completely curable.

If they become more aggressive, BCCs can spread into deeper layers of skin and to the bones - this can complicate treatment.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

Another form of non-melanoma skin cancer is squamous cell carcinoma