It is a well-known fact that the sun can cause skin cancer. The 3 main types of skin cancer are melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Malignant melanoma is the most deadly skin cancer because it spreads (metastasizes) more readily than the other forms of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, and it typically does not spread. Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer, and while it can spread, it does not do so as commonly as melanoma. The risk of getting basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma is determined by a person's lifetime exposure to sun and the person's skin color, with pale skin being more prone to skin cancer.

You should always be aware of the signs of skin cancer. Pre-cancerous skin changes include red, scaly lesions (especially on the face, ears, and backs of the hands) called actinic keratoses. When on the lip (usually the lower lip), it is called actinic cheilitis. Actinic keratoses are considered to be premalignant lesions because 1 in 100 cases per year will develop into squamous cell carcinoma.

Moles are usually seen in sun-exposed areas. Although it is normal to acquire new moles from childhood through young adulthood, their formation is stimulated by the sun. Most moles are normal; atypical moles, which are seen in non-sun-exposed areas and are larger and more irregular than normal moles, serve as an indicator that the person with these types of moles may be more prone to developing melanoma.

What does skin cancer look like? Click on any of the skin cancer pictures below to learn more about the different types of skin cancer and moles.

Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC), also known as basal cell epithelioma, is the most common form of skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma usually occurs on sun-damaged skin, especially in light-skinned individuals with a long history of chronic sun exposure…

Melanoma
Melanoma is a life-threatening form of skin cancer. This cancer starts in the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin. Melanoma may develop from a previously existing mole (nevus) or may occur as a new lesion…

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer. SCC usually occurs on sun-damaged skin, especially in light-skinned individuals with a long history of chronic sun exposure. SCC requires treatment to prevent it …

Actinic Keratosis
Actinic keratoses (or solar keratoses) are small rough or scaly areas of skin due to damage from ultraviolet light, usually from sun exposure. Some actinic keratoses (perhaps 1 in 20) turn into squamous cell skin cancer, which…

Cheilitis, Actinic
"Farmer's lip" or "sailor's lip" (actinic cheilitis) is a precancerous condition related to cumulative lifetime sun exposure. The lower lip is most often affected. Individuals with actinic cheilitis often present with complaints of persistent dryness and cracking of the lips. They will frequently exhibit…

Nevi (Moles)
A nevus (mole) is a non-cancerous (benign) skin lesion that is made up of the pigment-producing (color-producing) cells of the skin (melanocytes).  A nevus that is present at birth is referred to as a congenital…

Atypical Nevi (Moles)
Atypical or dysplastic nevi, also called atypical moles or dysplastic moles, are caused by collections of the color-producing (pigment-producing) cells of the skin (melanocytes) in which the cells grow in an…