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Conditions

Skin Cancer

Basal carcinoma cell indicating skin cancer

If your bronze permatan would make David Dickinson envious, and you regularly fry yourself on sun-drenched beaches or pay for blasts of the artificial stuff at a salon, then you could be increasing your risk of skin cancer. Since the 1980s the number of cases has rapidly increased, reaching around 69,000 new diagnoses every year. Melanoma indicated by the presence of malignant moles is one of the main types of skin cancer. However, not all moles are harmful, usually only those that either suddenly appear or are irregular in colour or shape. There are also non-melanoma types of cancer which include basal cell (a smooth bump or a flat crusty and scaly spot) and squamous cell cancer (a red lump or a flat scaly crust-like lesion). You can still venture out into the daylight, but check your skin regularly and use high factor protection in the sun. If in doubt, consult your GP.

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

Hey Guys. I Was Wondering If You Could Help Me Out? I Have Noticed A Raised, Crusty And Itchy Lump On My Left Arm. 2 Weeks After I Noticed This, I Have Had "Chicken Pox" Like Itchy Lumps All Over My Body. Mainly On My Back And Legs. It Looks Scarily Like Skin Cancer To Me. And I Have Reason To Believe It May Be As I Was Badly Burnt Abroad 4 Years Ago. I've Been To The Dr's But He Says Its A Fungal Infection Of The Skin From Working With Animals. Any Ideas? x





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I have many moles/freckles as I have very fair skin and strawberry blond hair, I have 2 on my hand and one has recently changed. It has got a little bigger, it is now raised where it was smooth and has got just a shade darker tiny spots over it! Is this just a normal change, or is it something I should be seeing the doctor about? Thanks for your time





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Hi my name is Tanya i am 22 years old,i have a lump in my neck and have had it for a good few months now, i have been to the doctors to have it x-rayed ive had my blood taken and the don't no what it is its causing me some discomfort, and i have noticed a smaller one has appeared above it its getting me down and i would like to know if you could help me to find out what it could be as i get very scared that its cancer, the lump does move , and its causing discomfort in the so-rounding area thank you for your help Tanya





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my inner thigh was red so i put sudocream on,then it started to peel now i have 2 very red spots bit like white heads they are very sore.ihavent got skin cancer have i





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I'm 21 years old and this mole grew on my lip. At first it was oval shaped and light-ish brown colour. 2 years later it changed colour (dark grey), larger and having irregular borders. I went to a specialist who said it's LMM, lentigo meligna melanoma and to get rid of it is via cosmetic surgery i.e. laser treatment. But I did some research afterwards and found that the sypmtoms doesn't match (normally it's in middle-aged/elderly people; on the face; due to sun exposure). What shall I do?





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I have a mole on my vagina, it is pretty big. i've been to the doctors and they said they can't do anything because its not irratating me, is there not a freeze spray or cream out there that will get rid of it?





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I have a mole on the side of my left breast which is about 6mm and it can become very itchy now and then. Should I be worried? Having said that,I do have very sensitive skin and I find myself itching all over my body especially my stomach and legs. I also tend to get a patchy red rash on my chest and neck after I have a shower, even when I just wash myself with water.Any ideas as to what this might be?





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I have a mole about the size of a pea on my arm and it doesnt bother me till now. A sort of spot has appeared next to it with like three white spots inside it and im not sure if its just a spot or not. What shall i do ?





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Can you have your moles removed even if there is nothing wrong with them?





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my son is 6 years old and has a few moles over his body, as is usually normal. 2 of his larger, more noticeable moles have almost disappeared, leaving a bleached like affect to his skin so you can see where the moles were. how can moles disappear, i've never heard of it happening before?





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


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More Information

  1. Quick Health Advice: Moles

    In Videos - Dr Jessen advises on the kind of mole you should be looking out for…

  2. How To Check Your Skin

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  3. Body Check: Moles

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  4. Quick Health Advice: Psoriasis

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  5. How To Check Your Vulva

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  6. How To Check Your Testicles

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  7. Episode 1

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  8. Vaginas

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  9. Consultation: Ichthyosis

    In Videos - Dr Harper treats a women for the skin condition Ichthyosis, with am…

  10. Consultation: Breast Reconstruction

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a breasts cancer survivor who wants to receive an…

  11. Consultation: Psoriasis

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper examines a patient with psoriasis

  12. How To Check Your Breasts

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self check your boobs for breast cancer.

  13. Consultation: Hyperpigmentation

    In Videos - A patient with hyperpigmentation is assessed by Dr McKenna

  14. Consultation: Mole Check-Up

    In Videos - Dr Harper examines a patient's moles

  15. Episode 2 - Kids

    In Episodes - This week's episode includes a young girl with vile verrucas that m…


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