Melanoma skin cancer

Melanoma skin cancer starts in skin cells called melanocytes. You can get it anywhere on your skin including in a mole, on your palms, the soles of your feet and under your nails.

Symptoms include changes to a mole, freckle or normal patch of skin. Doctors use a checklist of signs to look out for. But it helps to know what your skin normally looks like.

These pictures are only a guide to what melanoma skin cancers may look like. If you’re worried about a skin change it is important to get it checked by your GP.

The risk of developing melanoma skin cancer depends on many things including how much ultraviolet radiation you get from the sun and your skin type.

If you have symptoms of melanoma skin cancer you should see your GP. They might ask you to have some tests and may refer you to a specialist.

The stage of a melanoma skin cancer tells you how deeply it has grown down into the skin. It also tells you if it has spread elsewhere in your body and how far.

Treatments include surgery, cancer drugs and sometimes radiotherapy. Which ones you have depends on the melanoma stage, where on your body it is and your general health.

Survival for melanoma skin cancer depends on many factors including the stage of the cancer when it was diagnosed, the treatment you have and your general health.

Getting practical and emotional support can help you and your family cope with a diagnosis of cancer. It can also help you with life during treatment and after cancer.

Advanced cancer has spread to another part of the body. The symptoms and treatment depend on where it has spread to. It may help to find out what support is available if you have advanced cancer.

Research is looking into the causes and treatment of melanoma skin cancer. This includes new targeted cancer drugs and immunotherapy, and different ways of using current treatments.