Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer globally. The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and merkel cell carcinoma.1
The most common signs and symptoms of melanoma include abnormal moles, sores, lumps, blemishes, markings or changes in the way skin looks or feels.2 Risk factors associated with melanoma include ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, abnormal moles, fair skin, freckling, light hair and personal/family history of melanoma3
Basal cell cancers can occur anywhere on the body, but usually develop on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, head, and neck. The most common signs and symptoms include flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, raised reddish patches (may be itchy), small, pink/red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps (may have blue, brown or black areas), pink growths with raised edges or open sores that don’t heal (may ooze or have crusted areas).
Squamous cell cancers usually occur on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ear, neck, lip, and back of the hands. The most common signs include rough or scaly red patches (may crust/bleed), raised growths or lumps, open sores that don’t heal (may ooze or have crusted areas) or wart-like growths.4
Risk factors associated with basal and squamous cell cancers include, but are not limited to, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, light-colored skin, radiation exposure and skin cancer history.5
Connecting with other people that have skin cancer through an online discussion board led by a social worker, in person support group, and/or one-to-one matching with a peer can help you learn about your condition and provide you with support.
To learn more about skin cancer, you can access
information from credible sources below.
Looking for additional resources? We’ve curated skin cancer resources to help you access important information and support by the area you’re interested in, whether it’s prevention, symptoms and tests, new diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials or long-term management. You can also be matched to programs that can help with issues you may be facing, such as the costs of care, you’re feeling alone or another obstacle. Resources can also be filtered by the medium you prefer, including books, websites, hotlines, podcasts, online communities, mobile apps, and more!
To view skin cancer booklets and/or download for use in your
cancer planner, please select from the options below.
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer globally. The main types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and merkel cell carcinoma.1
The most common signs and symptoms of melanoma include abnormal moles, sores, lumps, blemishes, markings or changes in the way skin looks or feels.2 Risk factors associated with melanoma include ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, abnormal moles, fair skin, freckling, light hair and personal/family history of melanoma3
Basal cell cancers can occur anywhere on the body, but usually develop on sun-exposed areas of the body, such as the face, head, and neck. The most common signs and symptoms include flat, firm, pale or yellow areas, raised reddish patches (may be itchy), small, pink/red, translucent, shiny, pearly bumps (may have blue, brown or black areas), pink growths with raised edges or open sores that don’t heal (may ooze or have crusted areas).
Squamous cell cancers usually occur on sun-exposed areas of the body such as the face, ear, neck, lip, and back of the hands. The most common signs include rough or scaly red patches (may crust/bleed), raised growths or lumps, open sores that don’t heal (may ooze or have crusted areas) or wart-like growths.4
Risk factors associated with basal and squamous cell cancers include, but are not limited to, ultraviolet (UV) light exposure, light-colored skin, radiation exposure and skin cancer history.5
Connecting with other people that have skin cancer through an online discussion board led by a social worker, in person support group, and/or one-to-one matching with a peer can help you learn about your condition and provide you with support.
To learn more about skin cancer, you can access information from credible sources below.
Looking for additional resources? We’ve curated skin cancer resources to help you access important information and support by the area you’re interested in, whether it’s prevention, symptoms and tests, new diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials or long-term management. You can also be matched to programs that can help with issues you may be facing, such as the costs of care, you’re feeling alone or another obstacle. Resources can also be filtered by the medium you prefer, including books, websites, hotlines, podcasts, online communities, mobile apps, and more!
To view skin cancer booklets and/or download for use in your cancer planner, please select from the options below.
NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Melanoma (Spanish)
NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Basal Cell Skin Cancer
CancerCare Treatment Update: Advanced Skin Cancer
CancerCare Treatment Update: Basal Cell and Squamous Cell Cancer
