The body is made up of millions of different cells. Cancer happens when some of the cells multiply in an abnormal way. When cancer affects organs and solid tissues, it causes a growth called a tumour to form. Cancer can occur in any part of the body where the cells multiply abnormally.
How does cancer spread?
Left untreated, cancer can quickly grow and spread, either in the skin or the blood or to other parts of the body. This usually happens through the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a series of glands that are spread throughout the body and linked together in a similar way to the blood circulation system. If you have a cold or flu, the glands that come up in the neck are the lymph glands (also called lymph nodes). The lymph glands produce many of the cells that are needed by your immune system.
Once the cancer reaches your lymphatic system, it can spread to any other part of your body, including your bones, blood and organs.
Non-melanoma skin cancers
The leading cause of all types of skin cancer - melanoma and non-melanoma - is exposure to sunlight.
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) light that can affect the skin. There are two main types of UV - ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB). Both UVA and UVB damage skin over time, making it more likely for skin cancers (including melanomas) to develop. Artificial sources of light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, may also increase your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer
Repeated sunburn, either by the sun or artificial sources of light, will also make your skin more vulnerable to non-melanoma skin cancer.
Genetic causes
Research suggests that if you have two or more close relatives who have had non-melanoma skin cancer, your chances of developing the condition may be increased.
Risk factors
Risk factors for developing all types of skin cancer include having:
- pale skin that does not tan easily
- red or blonde hair
- blue eyes
- a large number of moles
- a large number of freckles
- an area of skin that has been previously damaged by burning or radiotherapy treatment
- a condition that suppresses your immune system, such as HIV
- medicines that suppress your immune system (immunosuppressants)
All these risk factors will make your skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun.
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