What is cancer

The organs and tissues of the body are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cancer is a disease of these cells. Cells in different parts of the body may look and work differently but they repair and reproduce themselves in the same way. Normally, this division of cells takes place in an orderly and controlled manner, but if for some reason this process gets out of control, the cells will continue to divide, developing into a lump which is called a tumour. Tumours can either be benign or malignant.

In a benign tumour the cells do not spread to other parts of the body and so are not cancerous. However, if they continue to grow at the original site they may cause a problem by pressing on the surrounding organs.

A malignant tumour consists of cancer cells which have the ability to spread beyond the original site, and if left untreated may invade and destroy surrounding tissues. Sometimes cells break away from the original (primary) cancer and spread to other organs in the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system. When these cells reach a new site they may continue dividing and form a new tumour, often referred to as a 'secondary' or a metastasis'.

Doctors can tell whether a tumour is benign or malignant by examining a small sample of cells (biopsy) under a microscope.

It is important to realise that cancer is not a single disease with a single cause and a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer, each with its own name and treatment.

Melanoma

• The most dangerous skin cancer.
• If untreated, cancer cells spread to other parts of the body. If treated early, 95% are cured.
• Appears as a new spot, or an existing spot, freckle or mole that changes colour, size or shape.
• Usually has an irregular or smudgy outline and is more than one colour.
• Grows over weeks to months, anywhere on the body.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Not as dangerous as melanoma but may spread to other parts of the body if not treated.
• A thickened red, scaly spot. Later it may bleed easily or ulcerate.
• Appears on sites most often exposed to the sun.
• Grows over some months.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

• Most common and least dangerous skin cancer.
• Appears as a lump or scaling area.
• Red, pale or pearly in colour.
• As it grows it may become ulcerated like an unhealing sore or one that heals then breaks down again.
• Grows slowly, usually on the head, neck and upper torso.

Dysplastic Naevi

• Not skin cancer, but a warning that you may be more prone to melanoma.
• Often flat, fairly large moles which share some of the features of early melanoma.
• Characterised by irregular boarders and uneven colour with multiple shades of brown and sometimes pink.

• Not a skin cancer but a warning that you are prone to developing skin cancer.
• Characterised by red, flattish, scaling areas which may sting if scratched.
• Sunspots appear on sun exposed skin in the over 40 age group.

Freckles and Moles

• Freckles are harmless coloured spots that range in size from 1 to 10mm.
• Moles are evenly coloured and may be raised although they do not have to be.
• Moles have clear, even edges and are usually circular or oval in shape.
  

• By the age of 60, most people have at least one or two.
• They have a very discrete edge and frequently sit up on top of the skin.
• Colour varies from pale skin through orange to black.
  Size varies from few millimetres to 2cm.
  

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