Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Cancer of the skin

Skin cancer is common. There are three main kinds:

• basal cell carcinoma, often known as a rodent ulcer; 
• squamous cell carcinoma; and;
• malignant melanoma.

Fortunately, the commonest kind is the least dangerous, and the most dangerous kind, malignant melanoma, is the least common.

Skin cancer is very rare in children but is more common as people get older. The numbers of skin cancers rise with age because the main cause of all types of skin cancers is sunlight exposure. Sunlight contains ultraviolet light (UV), and this is what does the harm, particularly to the skin of babies and young children. The numbers of skin cancers vary from country to country. In tropical countries with large white populations, the numbers are proportional to the amount of sunlight. Australia, South Africa and the Southern American states all have a very high incidence of skin cancer in their white populations. People with black skin (for example, people of African or Caribbean descent) are better protected by their skin colouring.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Prevention
• Treatment

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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