One in two people in the UK will get cancer in their lifetime, according to Cancer Research UK's latest figures.
At present the most common cancer’s in Britain are breast cancer (15%), prostate cancer (13%) and lung cancer (13%).
But alarming new research has revealed that two types of skin cancer are on the rise in the UK, according to a Mayo Clinic-led team of researchers.
Their study used medical records from the Rochester Epidemiology Project to compare diagnoses of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma between 2000 and 2010.
Findings revealed a 263% increase in squamous cell carcinoma and a 145% increase in basal cell carcinomas.
They compared the 2000-2010 data with to two other segments of time: 1976-1984 and 1985-1992.
Women aged 30-49 experienced the greatest increase in skin cancer.
The new figures highlight the urgent need to bolster public awareness about skin cancer.
Factors including sun exposure, skin colour, freckles and a family history of the disease, can increase your chances of getting skin cancer.
Here are five skin cancer symptoms you should look out for:
1. Pink or pearly-white lump
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) usually appears as a small, shiny pink or pearly-white lump with a translucent or waxy appearance. It can also look like a red, scaly patch.
There's sometimes some brown or black pigment within the patch.
The lump slowly gets bigger and may become crusty, bleed or develop into a painless ulcer.
2. Firm pink lump with a rough or crusted surface
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) appears as a firm pink lump with a rough or crusted surface. There can be a lot of surface scale and sometimes even a spiky horn sticking up from the surface.
The lump is often tender to touch, bleeds easily and may develop into an ulcer.
3. A spot or sore that won't heal
Spots and sores are common. But if you have one that doesn’t heal within four weeks, get it checked.
Also, look out for a spot or sore that hurts, is itchy, crusty, scabs over or bleeds for more than four weeks.
4. Red patches on your skin
These red patches could also be itchy. This could be due to other non cancerous skin conditions. But get it checked to make sure.
5. New mole or change in existing one
The first sign of a melanoma is often a new mole or a change in the appearance of an existing mole.
Normal moles are usually round or oval, with a smooth edge, and no bigger than 6mm in diameter.
Signs to look out for include a mole that's:
Getting bigger
Changing shape
Changing colour
Bleeding or becoming crusty
Itchy or sore
