Ultraviolet (UV) light is the most common cause of non-melanoma skin cancer. It comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds. Non-melanoma skin cancer is more common in older people, but younger people can also get it. You're also more likely to get non-melanoma skin cancer if you have:

• pale skin that burns easily in the sun
• red or fair hair
• blue or green eyes
• a large number of freckles or moles
• had a lot of sun exposure and you've had sunburn a lot in the past
• used sunbeds a lot
• a history of skin cancer in your family or you've had skin cancer before

If you have brown or black skin, you have a lower chance of getting non-melanoma skin cancer, but you can still get it.

How to lower your chance of getting skin cancer

Staying safe in the sun is the best way to lower your chance of getting skin cancer. There are some things you can do to help prevent getting skin cancer when you're outdoors.

Do

• 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
• make sure babies and children are protected from the sun – their skin is much more sensitive than adult skin

Main symptoms of non-melanoma skin cancer

The main symptom of non-melanoma skin cancer is a growth or unusual patch on the skin. Any part of your skin can be affected, but it's most common in areas exposed to the sun, such as the:

• head, face and ears
• neck and shoulders
• back
• hands
• lower legs

The growths or patches can vary in colour, size and texture. Some cancerous growths are raised and smooth with clear edges. Some growths may be bumpier, rough or crusty. Sometimes skin cancer may start as a flat discoloured patch.

Cancerous patches can be a range of colours, including purple, brown and red.

New mole or changes to a mole

A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be a sign of melanoma. This is a more serious type of skin cancer.

What happens at your GP appointment

The GP may ask some questions about your health and symptoms, and how much time you spend in the sun. Tell the GP if the growth or area of affected skin has recently changed. Also tell them if you or your family have had skin cancer in the past.

The GP will look at the affected area of skin. They may ask if they can take a photograph to send to a specialist (dermatologist) to look at.

Referral to a specialist

The GP may refer you to a specialist in hospital for more tests if they think you have a condition that needs to be investigated. Most people will have a non-urgent referral (which can take up to 18 weeks). This is because most skin cancers grow slowly and rarely spread to other areas of the body.

But sometimes you may need an urgent referral (usually within 2 weeks) if there's a higher chance it could be a more serious type of skin cancer. Being referred to a specialist does not definitely mean you have cancer.