Skin Cancer in the UK: Rising Rates and Prevention Imperatives

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Skin cancer has reached a concerning milestone in the UK, becoming the nation’s most common cancer. Each day, approximately 48 people receive a melanoma diagnosis and 430 learn they have non-melanoma skin cancer. Yet despite this growing epidemic, over 80% of cases are preventable through straightforward protection measures.

This rising tide of diagnoses presents a significant public health challenge and an equally substantial prevention opportunity.

Dr Sharon Crichlow
August 19, 2025
Reading Time: 10 Mins

Key Statistics at a Glance

Around 17,500 new melanoma cases are diagnosed in the UK each year, making it the fifth most common cancer.
Non-melanoma skin cancers affect approximately 156,000 people annually in the UK, almost 430 new cases every day.
Melanoma is responsible for over 2,300 deaths yearly, while non-melanoma causes around 920 deaths.
Melanoma incidence has surged 147% since the early 1990s, with cases rising 31% in the last decade alone.
86% of melanoma cases are linked to UV overexposure, making most cases preventable.
Melanoma cases are projected to exceed 21,000 annually by 2025 and reach 26,500 by 2040.
92.7% of people diagnosed with melanoma survive for 10 years or more when caught early.
Using a sunbed before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%.
Melanoma incidence is 52% lower in the most deprived communities compared to the least deprived.

Types of Skin Cancer in the UK

Melanoma

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer, developing from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Though it accounts for only around 10% of diagnosed skin cancers in the UK (17,500 vs 156,000 cases annually), it’s responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Cancer Research UK reports approximately 17,500 new cases annually, with incidence highest among those aged 85-89.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer, accounting for about 75% of non-melanoma cases. These slow-growing cancers rarely spread to other parts of the body but can cause significant local damage if left untreated. Most occur on sun-exposed areas, particularly the face, neck, and ears.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) makes up roughly 20% of non-melanoma skin cancers. These develop from the cells that make up the outer layer of the skin and are more likely than BCCs to spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly.

Rarer Skin Cancer Variants

Less common types include Merkel cell carcinoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. Though rare, these cancers often require specialised treatment approaches and can be more aggressive.

Type	Prevalence	Mortality
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)	Accounts for approximately 75% of all skin cancers	Rarely fatal but can cause significant local damage if left untreated
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)	The second most common skin cancer, approximately 20% of cases	More aggressive than BCC
Melanoma	Approximately 17,500 cases annually (5% of all cancers)	Causes over 2,300 deaths annually
Rare Variants	Less than 1% of skin cancers	Variable mortality depending on type

UV Exposure and Other Risk Factors

Sun and Artificial UV Exposure

Ultraviolet radiation is the primary risk factor for all types of skin cancer. The NHS identifies both natural sunlight and artificial sources like sunbeds as major contributors to skin cancer development. UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, potentially leading to mutations that cause cancer.

Sunbed use is particularly dangerous. A comprehensive Cancer Research UK review showed that using a sunbed before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 59%. Even occasional sunbed use raises melanoma risk by about 20% (or 29% after adjustments for other factors).

“Using a sunbed is never a safe way to tan,” states the World Health Organisation. “The intensity of UV radiation from sunbeds can be up to 10-15 times stronger than the midday sun.”

Personal Risk Factors

Not everyone faces the same skin cancer risk. People with fair skin that burns easily, red or blonde hair, blue or green eyes, and numerous moles face significantly higher risk.

Age plays a crucial role, with nearly 48% of non-melanoma cases and 29% of melanomas diagnosed in people aged 75 or older. Those with weakened immune systems—such as organ transplant recipients or HIV patients—face substantially elevated risk, particularly for squamous cell carcinoma.

A family history of skin cancer increases personal risk, as does a previous diagnosis. According to the NHS, having had one skin cancer increases the likelihood of developing another by approximately 10 times.

Who Gets Skin Cancer in the UK

The demographic profile of skin cancer in the UK reveals important patterns that can guide prevention efforts and resource allocation.

Melanoma cases are almost evenly split between genders (approximately 8,900 males and 8,600 females annually), while non-melanoma skin cancers affect men more frequently (88,500 male versus 67,500 female cases per year).

Age distribution is particularly telling. Both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers become increasingly common with age, with incidence rising sharply after 50. Melanoma rates peak in the 85-89 age group.

Perhaps most striking is the socioeconomic pattern. Cancer Research UK data shows melanoma incidence is 52% lower in the most deprived populations compared to the least deprived. For men specifically, this difference rises to 54%. Non-melanoma rates follow a similar pattern, with 40-42% lower incidence in the most deprived communities.

This inverse relationship with deprivation likely reflects differences in holiday habits, occupational sun exposure, and possibly awareness of skin cancer symptoms.

Early Detection and Diagnosis

Early detection dramatically improves skin cancer outcomes. The NHS recommends regular skin self-examinations, looking for the “ABCDE” warning signs of melanoma:

Asymmetry: Does one half look different from the other?
Border: Are the edges irregular or blurred?
Colour: Is there uneven colour or multiple colours?
Diameter: Is it larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser)?
Evolution: Has it changed in size, shape, or colour?

For non-melanoma cancers, watch for persistent scaly patches, non-healing sores, or slowly growing, shiny nodules.

If you notice concerning changes, see your GP promptly. They may refer you to a dermatologist for further assessment, which might include dermoscopy (examining the skin with a special magnifying device) or biopsy.

Survival Rates by Cancer Stage

Skin cancer survival varies dramatically by type and stage at diagnosis, highlighting the critical importance of early detection.

Cancer Type / Stage	5-Year Survival Rate	Notes
Melanoma – Stage I	~100%	Nearly all patients diagnosed at this stage survive 5 years.
Melanoma – Stage II	~85%	Well-documented strong prognosis for early-stage disease.
Melanoma – Stage III	~75%	Survival declines at this stage; outcomes vary by sub-stage.
Melanoma – Stage IV	Data not yet available	UK lacks long-term survival data for stage IV; treatment advances are improving outcomes but exact figures aren’t established.
Melanoma (All Stages Combined)	~95%	Approximate 5-year survival across all stages in England.
Advanced Melanoma (Immunotherapy)	—	Studies show significant improvements with immunotherapy, but stage-specific 5-year survival data are not available.

Recent advances in immunotherapy have revolutionised treatment for advanced melanoma. The CheckMate 067 trial results, updated in 2024, show that 52% of advanced melanoma patients treated with combined nivolumab and ipilimumab were alive ten years after diagnosis—an unprecedented achievement for a cancer that was nearly universally fatal just two decades ago.

Effective Prevention Strategies

Sun Protection Guidelines

The WHO and NHS recommend comprehensive sun protection measures:

Limit sun exposure between 11am and 3pm
Use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapplying every two hours
Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses
Seek shade when the UV index is 3 or higher
Avoid sunbeds completely—no amount of artificial tanning is safe

Public Health Approaches

Australia’s successful SunSmart program demonstrates the effectiveness of comprehensive public education campaigns. Similar initiatives in the UK could include school-based education, workplace sun-safety programs, and policy measures like reducing VAT on high-SPF sunscreens to improve accessibility.

Advances in Skin Cancer Treatment

Standard treatment for early-stage skin cancers remains surgical excision, with cure rates exceeding 95% for non-melanoma cancers when caught early.

For more advanced cases, options have expanded dramatically. Mohs micrographic surgery offers precise removal of cancerous tissue while preserving healthy surrounding tissue. Radiation therapy provides an alternative when surgery isn’t feasible.

The most significant advances have come in treating advanced melanoma. Targeted therapies like BRAF and MEK inhibitors can shrink tumours in patients with specific genetic mutations. More revolutionary still are immunotherapies, which help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.

The combination of nivolumab and ipilimumab has achieved unprecedented results, with the 2024 CheckMate 067 trial showing 52% of advanced melanoma patients alive ten years after treatment, compared to just 10% survival before the immunotherapy era.

Conclusion

Skin cancer represents both a growing challenge and a preventable tragedy in the UK. With incidence rising steadily, particularly among older adults, proactive measures are essential to reverse this trend.

The evidence is clear: most skin cancers can be prevented through sensible sun protection, avoidance of sunbeds, and regular skin checks. When caught early, skin cancer is highly treatable, with survival rates approaching 100% for early-stage disease.

What’s needed now is coordinated action: public education campaigns, affordable access to high-SPF sunscreens, and continued investment in early detection and innovative treatments.

By prioritising prevention while ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge therapies, the UK can turn the tide on its most common cancer, saving thousands of lives and hundreds of millions in healthcare costs.

About the Author

Dr Sharon Crichlow

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Skin Cancer in the UK: Rising Rates and Prevention Imperatives

Skin Cancer in the UK: Rising Rates and Prevention Imperatives

Key Statistics at a Glance

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