Melanoma

This is a cancer that usually starts on the skin. It can either develop from a mole or from normal looking skin.

Symptoms are changes in the size, shape or colour of the mole.

Around 10% of all skin cancers are melanomas. They are most likely to develop on skin that is only occasionally exposed to the sun, such as on the back in men and the lower leg in women.

Melanomas may occur in children and, although this is rare, sun protection for children is essential.