Non Melanoma Skin Cancer

Key Staff

Consultants

  • Dr Allan Ah-Weng Consultant dermatologist

Nursing team 

  • Macmillan Skin Cancer Specialist Nurse
     Working hours: Monday-Thursday 9.00 - 17.00
     Tel: 020 8401 3000 Ext 3803  

Admin team:

Queries regarding appointments with the Melanoma team at St Georges Hospital

 

About 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.

There's another type of skin cancer called  melanoma . It's less common and usually more serious than non-melanoma skin cancer.

For more information about Skin Cancer - BAD Patient Hub

 

What are the tests to confirm the diagnosis?

If a GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have non-melanoma skin cancer, you'll have tests to check for cancer.

The specialist will check your skin and ask you about any changes you've noticed. They may use a magnifying device that lets them look at the skin more closely.

The specialist may also recommend having a small area of affected skin cut out so it can be sent to a lab and checked for cancer. This is known as an excision biopsy .

 

What treatment are available?

Non-melanoma skin cancer can usually be effectively treated. The treatment you have will depend on:

  • the type of skin cancer
  • where the cancer is
  • if it has spread
  • your general health 

Surgery is the main treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer. Radiotherapy , photodynamic therapy , chemotherapy , targeted medicines and immunotherapy are also sometimes used.

Treatments may occur at Croydon University Hospital within the dermatology department, the maxillofacial Department and by our visiting plastics surgeon who will  plan to treat at either Croydon University Hospital or St George’s Hospital.

Other treatments are offered at other specialist centres such at St George’s, Guy’s & Thamas or Royal Marsden’s hospitals dependant upon your diagnosis and most appropriate management.

 

The specialist care team looking after you will:

  • explain the treatments, benefits and side effects
  • work with you to create a treatment plan that's best for you
  • discuss the chances of the skin cancer coming back and how it will be treated if it does

You'll have regular check-ups during and after any treatments.

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.

More about Treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer - NHS

Macmillan information: Making treatment decisions

Macmillan information: A-Z treatments- drugs

Macmillan information: After Treatment

 

Personalised Cancer Care

Personalised cancer care allows you to take an active role in the way your care is planned and delivered by identifying your concerns and support needs. It puts you in control of your care, with our help.

There are lots of things you can do to look after your own health during and after cancer treatment. Some of this can be done with the involvement of your clinical team, such as physical activity and dietary modifications

Here  are the key elements of personalised care for our cancer patients:

  • Personalised Assessment and Care Planning
  • Access to health and wellbeing information and support
  • End of treatment summaries to support you with understanding and managing impacts of cancer– also shared with your GP so they can support you.
  • Stratified Follow up when you have finished treatment or are living with cancer.

Read the Personalised Cancer Care Guide  for newly diagnosed patients at Croydon Health Services.

Also available in Arabic , Bengali , Bulgarian , French , Gujarati , Polish , Portuguese , Punjabi ,  Romanian , Somali , Spanish , Tamil , Urdu.   

Macmillan information in your language

Macmillan information in Audio, video & BSL

Macmillan information in Easy reads

 

Additional information and support