Moles and unusual patches on the skin should be checked by a doctor(Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

Five hidden early warning signs of killer disease that can affect anyone at any age

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common type of cancer that starts in the top layer of skin but it can be easily treated and successfully removed if detected early

by · The Mirror

Thousands of people are diagnosed with the most common form of skin cancer every year and health experts have released five key warning signs of the condition.

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common type of cancer that starts in the top layer of skin, with 156,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK. One of the main types is basal cell carcinoma (BCC), which can be easily treated and successfully removed if detected early.

The main cause is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds, so it's incredibly important we protect our skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Using sunscreen and reapplying it regularly, as well as wearing appropriate clothing like hats, can significantly decrease the chances of getting skin cancer.

According to the NHS, things that increase your chances of getting non-melanoma skin cancer include your age, having pale skin and having had skin cancer in the past. So, what are the main symptoms and what should we be looking out for?

Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common type of cancer that starts in the top layer of skin( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Skin Cancer Foundation advises you to check the areas of skin most exposed to the sun, such as the:

  • Face
  • Ears
  • Neck
  • Scalp
  • Chest
  • Shoulders
  • Back

The main symptom of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a growth or unusual patch on the skin. This is described by The Skin Cancer Foundation as "a reddish patch or irritated area" which might crust, itch, hurt, or cause no discomfort, Daily Express reports.

"BCCs can look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, scars or growths with slightly elevated, rolled edges and/or a central indentation," The Skin Cancer Foundation says on its website. "At times, BCCs may ooze, crust, itch or bleed. The lesions commonly arise in sun-exposed areas of the body."

Some marks could be mistaken for a new mole when it takes on a darker colouring. It's also important to be vigilant when a slightly raised, small pink growth appears that has "rolled" edges and a crusted indentation in the centre.

Five early warning signs of a BCC

Non-melanoma skin cancer can develop if unprotected skin is exposed to sunlight( Image: Getty Images)
  • An open sore that doesn't heal
  • A reddish patch or irritated area
  • A shiny bump or nodule
  • A small pink growth
  • A scar-like area.

The NHS advises people to see a GP if you have a growth on your skin that's getting bigger or has changed colour or texture. also book an appointment with your local doctor if you have a growth or area of skin that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than four weeks.

While BCCs rarely spread, they can grow and "become disfiguring and dangerous". The Skin Cancer Foundation says: "Untreated BCCs can become locally invasive, grow wide and deep into the skin and destroy skin, tissue and bone. The longer you wait to get treatment, the more likely it is that the BCC will recur, sometimes repeatedly."

How to lower your chances of getting skin cancer

Using sunscreen regularly decreases chances of getting skin cancer( Image: Getty Images)

According to the NHS, staying safe in the sun is the best way to lower your chance of getting skin cancer. There are a number of things we can do to ensure our skin is protected.

  • stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (11am to 3pm in the UK)
  • keep your arms and legs covered, and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses that provide protection against ultraviolet (UV) rays
  • use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and at least 4-star UVA protection – make sure you reapply it regularly
  • Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed skin, including the face, neck and ears, and head if you have thinning or no hair, but a wide-brimmed hat is better.
  • make sure babies and children are protected from the sun – their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin

People are also advised not to use sunbeds or sunlamps. Sunbeds and lamps can be more dangerous than natural sunlight because they use a concentrated source of UV radiation.

Health risks linked to sunbeds and other UV tanning equipment include:

  • skin cancer
  • premature skin ageing
  • sunburnt skin
  • eye irritation