Skin care rates are already at an all-time high in the UK, but melanoma cases are projected to rise even further this year.
Part of the problem is the large number of fair-skinned people living in countries with high ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels, experts have warned.
Cancer Research UK cautioned in 2024 that a significant number of cases in Britain result from sunbed exposure.
Fortunately, early detection is one of the most important factors in improving outcomes from the disease, and Dr Danny Guo has described exactly how some symptoms behave.
Melanoma has a high potential to spread to other parts of the body
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In a recent TikTok clip, the double board-certified dermatologist said: “It’s not a pimple, and it’s also not sebaceous hyperplasia or a cyst. It’s basal cell carcinoma.
“It’s the most common type of skin cancer, and while you mostly see it in older patients, I see a fair number of patients with it in their 30s or even younger.
“They typically present as a sore that doesn’t heal, continues to grow, and may even bleed spontaneously.
“These cancers aren’t likely to spread to other organs, but they will keep growing and destroy everything in their path—so they’re definitely not benign.
“Be sure to use sun protection as a preventative measure, and see your dermatologist if you notice any suspicious spots.”
Part of the reason melanoma is so severe is due to its high potential to spread to other parts of the body.
The condition often originates in melanocytes - the cells responsible for giving skin its colour - and typically occurs in skin that has been exposed to the sun.
In some cases, however, it can also develop in other areas such as the mouth, intestines, or eyes.
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The condition can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks
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“Skin cancer can spread to nearby tissue or other areas of your body if it’s not caught early,” note experts at the Cleveland Clinic.
Left untreated, the condition can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks.
While the most common signs of the disease are new moles or pre-existing ones that change shape, melanoma can present very differently depending on the body part affected.
If the condition manifests near the lungs, for instance, this may call shortness of breath, while melanoma on the head can cause headaches or vision changes.
