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  1. Get support
  2. What is melanoma?

WHAT IS MELANOMA?

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells make a pigment called melanin which gives skin its natural colour. Melanin helps to protect the body from ultraviolet light (UV radiation) from the sun. 

The most common sign of melanoma is the appearance of a new mole, a change in an existing mole or in other pigmented tissues, such as those found in the eye.

Click HERE for a full list of REFERENCES numbers listed throughout the site (nos.1-58)

NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA?

NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA?

After your melanoma diagnosis, you may receive information from every direction and you will have lots of questions:  What will happen to me? What does all this mean? How will I cope? How can I tell my loved ones? Read more

Published: 5th February, 2017

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author:

OVERVIEW OF MELANOMA

OVERVIEW OF MELANOMA

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells make a pigment called melanin which gives skin its natural colour. Read more

Published: 29th May, 2018

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author:

STAGES OF MELANOMA

STAGES OF MELANOMA

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe the size and depth of the melanoma, and whether it has spread. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps doctors decide on the best treatment for you. Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author:

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS

A person’s risk of developing cancer depends on many factors, including age, genetics, and exposure to risk factors (including some potentially avoidable lifestyle factors). In fact, 86% of melanoma skin cancer cases in the UK are preventable. Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author:

TYPES OF MELANOMA

TYPES OF MELANOMA

There are four main types of skin melanoma. They include: Superficial spreading melanoma, Nodular melanoma, Lentigo maligna melanoma and Acral melanoma Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author:

OCULAR MELANOMA

OCULAR MELANOMA

Ocular melanoma is cancer of the eye. Also known as Uveal melanoma, it affects between 500 and 600 patients in the UK every year. Ocular melanoma is different to skin melanoma and is not said to be related to sun exposure. Read more

Published: 12th March, 2019

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

MUCOSAL MELANOMA

MUCOSAL MELANOMA

We know that melanoma is often thought of as ‘skin cancer’ but it is also known that melanoma can and does occur in other areas of the body as well as the skin. Known as ‘mucosal melanoma’ it can affect the nasal passages, sinuses, oral cavity, anus, vagina and other areas. Read more

Published: 12th March, 2019

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

MELANOMA FACTS & STATS

MELANOMA FACTS & STATS

Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and the 5th most common cancer in the UK. Melanoma diagnoses are increasing at epidemic rates. You can help make a difference by knowing and sharing the facts about melanoma. Read more

Published: 11th May, 2020

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA

MERKEL CELL CARCINOMA

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is rare and dangerous but treatable, especially when found at an early stage. Read more

Published: 17th March, 2021

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA

ACRAL LENTIGINOUS MELANOMA

Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a specific type of melanoma that appears on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or under the nails. Read more

Published: 10th May, 2021

Updated: 27th October, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

MELANOMA: LET'S GET UNDER THE SKIN OF IT

MELANOMA: LET'S GET UNDER THE SKIN OF IT

Let’s get under the skin of it is a campaign to encourage patients, loved ones, partners and carers to learn more about melanoma – whether recently diagnosed or simply hoping to learn more. Read more

Published: 27th May, 2021

Updated: 24th May, 2022

Author: Diane Cannon

MELANOMA UK - CONTENT PARTNER OF HEALTHINOTE

MELANOMA UK - CONTENT PARTNER OF HEALTHINOTE

Healthinote is used by over 1,000 GP practices in the UK, clinicians and members of the public can search among over 4,500 clinically authored articles to share reliable information about conditions, symptoms and medicines. Read more

Published: 28th June, 2021

Author: Diane Cannon

MELANOMA BRAF AWARENESS DAY 26TH MAY 2022

MELANOMA BRAF AWARENESS DAY 26TH MAY 2022

Melanoma BRAF Awareness Day is a new disease awareness day, developed in collaboration between Melanoma UK and Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd, that will take place on 26th May every year, as part of Melanoma Awareness Month. Read more

Published: 30th April, 2022

Updated: 6th June, 2022

Author: Diane Cannon

Back to top

Showing 10 of 13

Latest

  • Face the fear!!

    Face the fear!!

    For someone special.

  • PAVING THE WAY AND BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS OF SKIN CANCER

    PAVING THE WAY AND BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS OF SKIN CANCER

    Another fantastic partnership is launched during #menshealthweek Melanoma UK has teamed up with UK Paving Talk Group to heighten awareness of the importance of wearing sunscreen and urging their members to go on the mole hunt and check for signs of skin cancer!

  • FUTURE OLYMPIAN BECOMES OUR NEW AMBASSADOR

    FUTURE OLYMPIAN BECOMES OUR NEW AMBASSADOR

    Not only is Daniel Budden a British Sailing Team sailor campaigning toward the Paris 2024 Olympics, he has now joined the Melanoma UK family as our new Ambassador for Outdoor Sports.

  • AMBASSADOR FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS

    AMBASSADOR FOR OUTDOOR SPORTS

    Not only is Daniel Budden a British Sailing Team sailor campaigning toward the Paris 2024 Olympics, he has now joined the Melanoma UK family as our new Ambassador for Outdoor Sports.

Most read

  • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

    SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

    About half of all melanomas start with a change in previously normal-looking skin. This usually looks like a dark area or an abnormal new mole.

  • THE 'ABCDE' RULE

    THE 'ABCDE' RULE

    Do You Know Your ABC...DE's? The ABCDE Rule of skin cancer is an easy-to-remember system for determining whether a mole or growth may be cancerous.

  • SKINVISION SMARTPHONE APP

    SKINVISION SMARTPHONE APP

    Get Smart About Skin Cancer - Melanoma UK and health technology company SkinVision has joined forces to provide a service that helps people to perform regular skin checks and flags up potential cancers to the attention of healthcare professionals.

  • STAGES OF MELANOMA

    STAGES OF MELANOMA

    The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe the size and depth of the melanoma, and whether it has spread. Knowing the stage of your cancer helps doctors decide on the best treatment for you.

  • LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA

    LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA

    Longitudinal Melanonychia Guidance By Dr Christian Aldridge

  • ME MELANOMA, NO CHANCE!

    ME MELANOMA, NO CHANCE!

    My Melanoma Journey as written by Jayne Williams

  • SKIN SELF EXAMINATION

    SKIN SELF EXAMINATION

    We recommend that you do a head-to-toe self-examination of your skin every month.  This way you can find any new or changing lesions that might be cancerous or precancerous.

  • ALEX BAKER - MY MELANOMA STORY

    ALEX BAKER - MY MELANOMA STORY

    In July 2017, Alex Baker noticed a small growth on his right shin. Here he shares his story, including several graphic photographs.

  • OVERVIEW OF MELANOMA

    OVERVIEW OF MELANOMA

    Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells in the skin called melanocytes. These cells make a pigment called melanin which gives skin its natural colour.

  • COVID-19 VACCINE & MELANOMA

    COVID-19 VACCINE & MELANOMA

    COVID-19 Q&A with Professor James Larkin

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