Skin Cancer & Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Early detection can improve treatment options and outcomes, making regular skin examinations an important part of skin health. Learn more about skin cancer, screening and early detection, and the use of dermatoscopy to assess suspicious skin lesions.

Skin and Skin Cancer

The skin is not only the largest organ in the human body but also one of its most functionally versatile. In adults, it covers an area of around 1.7 m². Its functions include protecting the body against pathogens, mechanical injury, radiation and foreign substances. It also plays an important role in temperature regulation and sensation and contributes to the exchange of substances with the environment.

The skin consists of three main layers: the outer layer (epidermis), the middle layer (dermis) and the subcutaneous layer (hypodermis). It also contains various appendages, including hair, glands and sensory receptors.

Various factors can damage the genetic material in skin cells, potentially causing them to become cancerous and divide uncontrollably. The immune system can recognise and eliminate abnormal cells, but some may evade these defences and continue to grow, eventually forming a tumour. Skin cancers are classified according to the type of cell from which they originate. Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, develops from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin. Non-melanoma skin cancers include basal cell carcinoma, which develops from basal cells, and squamous cell carcinoma, which originates from squamous cells of the skin.

*Source: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization

Facts About Melanoma

Global melanoma cases	Almost 340,000 new cases worldwide annually
Global melanoma deaths	Almost 60,000 deaths worldwide annually
Men and women	Melanoma affects both men and women, with survival generally better in women
Major risk factor	Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Stage 1 survival	Around 100% survive 5 years or more after diagnosis

Sources: International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), GLOBOCAN 2024 and Cancer Research UK

Skin Cancer – Key Risk Factors

Family History and Genetic Predisposition

A family history of skin cancer, particularly melanoma, can increase an individual’s risk of developing skin cancer.

UV Exposure and Sunburn

Repeated or intense exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases the risk of skin cancer. This includes prolonged sun exposure, frequent sunburns and the use of tanning beds. UV exposure during childhood and adolescence is particularly important, as repeated sunburns can increase the risk later in life.

Skin Type and Pigmented Lesions

People with fair skin, light eyes or hair, or a tendency to burn easily have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. Having a large number of moles or atypical moles can also increase the risk of melanoma.

Previous Skin Cancer

People who have previously had skin cancer have an increased risk of developing another skin cancer and should pay particular attention to changes in their skin.

Skin Cancer Prevention

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is one of the main risk factors for skin cancer. Effective prevention therefore focuses on limiting UV exposure and protecting the skin from the sun.

Avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, particularly around midday, and use protective clothing, a hat and sunglasses whenever appropriate. Sunscreen should be applied generously to exposed areas and should provide broad-spectrum protection with a sufficiently high sun protection factor (SPF). Reapply regularly, particularly after swimming, sweating or towel drying, and follow the product instructions.

Protecting children from excessive UV exposure is particularly important, as sunburn during childhood can increase the risk of skin cancer later in life. Infants and young children should be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible and protected with clothing, shade and sunscreen on exposed skin where appropriate.

Tanning beds expose the skin to artificial UV radiation and can increase the risk of skin cancer. Their use should therefore be avoided. UV exposure can also be particularly intense at high altitudes and in areas with snow, which reflects UV radiation. Appropriate sun protection is therefore important during outdoor activities in these environments.

Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

The term non-melanoma skin cancer primarily refers to basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). These are the most common forms of skin cancer and usually develop on areas of the skin that receive frequent or prolonged UV exposure, such as the face, ears, scalp, neck and hands.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It typically grows slowly and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. However, if left untreated, it can invade surrounding tissue. Early diagnosis and treatment generally result in an excellent prognosis.

Squamous cell carcinoma develops from keratinocytes, the predominant cells of the epidermis. It commonly occurs on sun-exposed areas of the skin and can grow more rapidly than BCC. Although most SCCs can be treated successfully, some can spread to nearby lymph nodes or other parts of the body, particularly when they are larger or have other high-risk features. Early detection and treatment are therefore important.

*Source: IARC – INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (WHO)

Melanoma

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin. It can develop anywhere on the body, including areas that are not regularly exposed to the sun. Melanoma can be aggressive and may spread to other parts of the body if not detected and treated early.

Risk factors include a high number of moles, atypical moles, fair skin that burns easily, a family or personal history of melanoma and repeated or intense UV exposure, including sunburns. Although melanoma is less common than non-melanoma skin cancer, early detection is particularly important because melanoma is highly treatable when diagnosed at an early stage. Regular skin examinations and attention to new or changing skin lesions can help identify suspicious changes at an early stage.

*Source: IARC – INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RESEARCH ON CANCER (WHO)

Skin Cancer Screening

Skin cancer screening and regular skin examinations can help detect suspicious skin changes at an early stage.
The examination is non-invasive and painless and typically involves a visual inspection of the skin, often supported by dermoscopy.
The frequency of skin examinations depends on individual risk factors and local medical recommendations.

Skin Cancer Screening Can Support Early Detection

Skin cancer screening and regular skin examinations can help identify suspicious skin changes at an early stage. Depending on the individual’s risk factors and local recommendations, examinations may be carried out by dermatologists or other appropriately trained healthcare professionals. The examination is non-invasive and painless and may include a visual inspection of the skin using a magnifying lens or dermatoscope.

A dermatoscope provides an enlarged view of structures within the skin that are not visible to the naked eye and can be particularly useful when assessing pigmented and other suspicious lesions. If a skin lesion appears suspicious, it may be documented with photographs or a digital dermatoscope to monitor changes over time. Where skin cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be performed and the tissue examined to establish a diagnosis. Further treatment depends on the type, stage and characteristics of the tumour.

Early detection can significantly improve treatment options and prognosis for many types of skin cancer. Regular self-examination and professional skin examinations, particularly for people with an increased risk of skin cancer, can help detect new or changing lesions at an early stage.

FAQs About Skin Cancer

How can UV exposure be reduced? When is sun protection particularly important? What does the UV Index mean, and how should sunscreen be used? The World Health Organization (WHO) provides answers to these and other questions about protecting against skin cancer.

The Dermatoscope

The dermatoscope is a diagnostic tool that uses a magnifying lens and a light source to provide a detailed view of structures within the skin that are not clearly visible to the naked eye. Conventional dermatoscopes may use a contact medium between the device and the skin, while polarised light allows contact-free examination. Dermoscopy is widely used to assess pigmented and non-pigmented skin lesions and can support the early detection and diagnosis of melanoma and other skin cancers.

Digital dermatoscopes allow skin lesions to be documented using photographs or video and monitored over time. This can help healthcare professionals identify changes and compare lesions during follow-up examinations. Digital images can also be shared with other healthcare professionals for consultation or further assessment. Many modern dermatoscopes can be connected to digital cameras or mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets using suitable adapters.

Dermatoscopes in Our Range

At Praxisdienst, we offer a wide range of dermatoscopes in different price categories to support the detailed examination and monitoring of suspicious skin lesions. Choose from models with features such as polarised light, smartphone compatibility and image documentation to suit different examination requirements and workflows.