Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body. The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds. Things that increase your chances of getting melanoma include your age and having pale skin, a large number of moles and a family history of skin cancer.

It's often possible to prevent skin cancer by being careful in the sun – for example, by using sunscreen and reapplying it regularly. How melanoma is treated depends on where it is, if it has spread to other areas of your body and your general health. Surgery is the main treatment.

Main causes of melanoma skin cancer

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

• pale skin that burns easily in the sun
• red or blonde 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 black or brown skin, you have a lower chance of getting melanoma, but you can still get it. People with black or brown skin most often get melanoma on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands, or under a nail.

How to lower your chance of getting melanoma

Staying safe in the sun is the best way to lower your chance of getting skin cancer (both melanoma and non-melanoma).

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