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What is melanoma skin cancer? - Melanoma skin cancer

  • 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.
Information:

There's another type of skin cancer called non-melanoma skin cancer. It's more common and usually less serious than melanoma.

Important: Get your symptoms checked

It's important to get any symptoms of melanoma skin cancer checked as soon as possible.

Page last reviewed: 06 March 2023
Next review due: 06 March 2026