What is non-melanoma skin cancer?

• Non-melanoma skin cancer is a common type of cancer that starts in the top layer of skin.
• The main types are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• Non-melanoma skin cancer can often be easily treated.
• The main cause is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and is used in sunbeds.
• Things that increase your chances of getting non-melanoma skin cancer include your age, having pale skin and having had skin cancer in the past.
• It's possible to reduce your risk of skin cancer by being careful in the sun – for example, by using sunscreen and reapplying it regularly.