Skin cancer: what you need to know

If you are looking for information about skin cancer, you may have seen advice in many different places including Google, social media, videos or AI‑generated answers. 

This page explains who can be affected, what to look out for, how to reduce risk, and where to find trusted support. 

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones and all ages. People with pale or white skin that burns easily have a higher risk. But people with black or brown skin can also get skin cancer. In some cases, it may be diagnosed later because it can appear in less expected places or look different from commonly shared examples.

You can read more about skin cancer risk factors.

Skin cancer does not only appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face or arms.

In people with black or brown skin, a type of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma is more common. This can appear:

• on the palms of the hands
• on the soles of the feet
• under fingernails or toenails.

Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body. Changes can look different from person to person. They may include:

• a mole that changes shape, size or colour
• a sore that does not heal a patch of skin that becomes scaly, crusted or bleeds
• a stripe or band of darker colour under a finger or toenail.

If you notice a change that does not heal or looks unusual, it’s important to get it checked by a GP.

You can find more information about the types of skin cancer.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the biggest risk factor for skin cancer. UV damage builds up over time and can come from:

• natural sunlight
• using sunbeds, sunlamps or tanning booths.

Different types of skin cancer are linked to different levels of exposure:

• Melanoma is often linked to short bursts of intense sun exposure.
• Other skin cancers are linked to long‑term exposure, such as working outdoors for many years.

Living in the UK, or being outside on cloudy or cooler days, does not remove the risk. UV levels can still be high even when it does not feel warm or sunny.

People who spend long periods outdoors, such as those working in farming, fishing or other outdoor jobs, may have higher exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light over time.

Living in remote rural or coastal areas can also affect how easy it is get symptoms checked. That is why Macmillan works in partnership with communities where risk and access can be different.

This includes working with rural communities, where outdoor work is common, and projects such as C-Aware, which works with fishing communities in the North East to help raise awareness and seeking support earlier.

Sunscreen helps protect your skin by reducing UV damage.

People sometimes wonder whether sunscreen is needed for black or dark brown skin tones. While black and brown skin has more natural protection, it does not fully block UV damage. Sun protection is still important for everyone.

The best protection combines sunscreen with:

• covering up with clothing
• wearing a hat and sunglasses
• staying in the shade
• avoiding strong sunlight between 11am and 3pm.

We have practical advice about sun safety.

Sun safety after cancer treatment

Your skin may:

• burn more easily
• have a higher long‑term risk of skin cancer

If you’ve had treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or medicines that affect the immune system, protecting your skin from the sun is especially important.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team. Learn more about our Digital Content Editors and how we produce our cancer information. 

Accurate information helps you make informed choices. Look for trustworthy, reliable sources such as Macmillan Cancer Support, the NHS and your own healthcare team. 

We have more information on how to find reliable health information online and understanding cancer misinformation.