Screening for skin cancer

There is no national screening programme for non melanoma skin cancer in the UK. This is because non melanoma skin cancer most commonly develops in areas of the skin exposed to the sun. So people usually spot them in plenty of time to have successful treatment.

What is cancer screening?

Screening means testing people for early stages of a disease. This is before they have any symptoms. For screening to be useful the tests:

• need to be reliable at picking up cancers
• overall must do more good than harm to people taking part
• must be something that people are willing to do

Screening tests are not perfect and have some risks. The screening programme should also be good value for money for the NHS.

Looking for signs of skin cancer

Non melanoma skin cancer tends to develop most often on skin exposed to the sun.

To spot skin cancer early it helps to know how your skin normally looks. That way, you'll notice any changes more easily.

To look at areas you can’t see easily, you could try using a hand held mirror and reflect your skin onto another mirror. Or you could get your partner or a friend to look. This is very important if you're regularly outside in the sun for work or leisure. 

You can take a photo of anything that doesn't look quite right. If you can it's a good idea to put a ruler or tape measure next to the abnormal area when you take the photo. This gives you a more accurate idea about its size and can help you tell if it's changing. You can then show these pictures to your doctor. 

If you are worried or have symptoms

Speak to your GP if you any unusual changes to your skin.