skin cancers
introduction
The epidermis or top layer of skin contains three different types of cells: squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes. Skin cancer is a disease of the body's skin cells caused mainly by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
There are three main types of skin cancer named after the type of cells they start from: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — known as common skin cancers — and melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.
Most people living in Australia are at risk of skin cancer, but some people are more at risk. Those at highest risk include: people with fair skin who burn quickly; people exposed to the Australian sun as children; people who suntan deliberately; people with a family history of skin cancer; people who work outdoors for long periods of time; people who use solariums, sunlamps and sunbeds.