Some people describe them as pearly in appearance. Squamous cell carcinomas are also unlikely to lead to death. They sometimes appear as nodules or as red, scaly patches. Malignant melanoma is the least common, but most aggressive form of skin cancer. It is generally irregular in shape, sometimes in or around a mole, and has a black, tan or brown shading.
Early treatment is vital as it accounts for the vast majority of deaths from skin cancer.
Skin cancer is more common in people with light coloured skin who have spent a lot of time in the sun. It can appear anywhere on your body, but it is most likely to occur on those areas that have been exposed to more sunlight, such as your face, neck, and arms. A combination of factors will determine whether you get skin cancer. People with a history of the disease in the family are probably at greater risk. Altitude and cloud cover will affect the sun's intensity.