Types of Skin Cancer in Australia
Australia has the highest skin cancer rates in the world, and young Australians are being diagnosed earlier than ever.
Skin cancer isn't one disease. Different types behave differently, affect different age groups, and require different treatments. What they share is a common cause: UV radiation.
2 in 3
Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70
20–39
Most common cancer age group in Australia
Highest
Melanoma rates globally
Extreme
UV radiation levels year-round
Why this matters for Gen Z & Millennials
Skin cancer isn't an "older person's disease".
Melanoma is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in people aged 15–39
UV damage often occurs years before diagnosis
Exposure happens at school, sport, work and social settings
Prevention needs to start early, and be built into everyday environments.
Types of Skin Cancer
Melanoma (most dangerous)
Melanoma can look very different, here are three real presentations:
Brown / Pigmented
The most recognised form. Dark brown or black with irregular, uneven borders. Often mistaken for a mole that "changed".
Pink / Amelanotic
No dark pigment, appears pink, red, or skin-coloured. Often missed or mistaken for a sore, pimple, or scar. Particularly dangerous because it's harder to identify.
Advanced / Nodular
What happens when melanoma is left untreated. A raised, dome-shaped mass that grows rapidly and can spread to other organs. This is why early detection is critical.
Educational images only. Melanoma can look very different on different skin tones and body locations. If you notice any unusual or changing spot, see a doctor promptly, do not wait. Cancer Council Australia and the healthdirect symptom checker can help.
Melanoma develops in pigment-producing cells and is the deadliest form of skin cancer. It can spread rapidly if not detected early.
Causes most skin cancer deaths
Affects young, otherwise healthy people
Early detection saves lives
Basal Cell Carcinoma (most common)
BCC can appear in very different ways, here are three common presentations:
Nodular BCC
The most common type. A raised, shiny, pearly-pink or flesh-coloured bump, often with tiny visible blood vessels. Can bleed or crust over. Frequently appears on the face, ears, and neck.
Superficial BCC
Appears as a flat, red, scaly patch, often mistaken for eczema, psoriasis, or a rash. Grows slowly across the skin surface rather than downward. Common on the chest, back, and shoulders.
Morphoeic / Sclerosing BCC
The most deceptive type. Looks like a pale, flat scar or waxy patch, easy to dismiss as nothing. Grows silently beneath the skin surface and can be much larger than it appears. Often missed until it requires extensive surgery.
Educational images only. BCC can look very different depending on type, location, and skin tone. Any new or changing spot that doesn't heal within a few weeks should be seen by a doctor. Cancer Council Australia and healthdirect have further information.
Basal cell carcinoma grows slowly but can cause significant tissue damage if untreated.
Rarely fatal
Often requires surgery
Linked to cumulative UV exposure
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (more aggressive)
SCC can look very different, here are three common presentations:
Well-Differentiated SCC
A firm, raised, rough or crusty nodule, often with a hard, scaly cap. Commonly appears on sun-exposed areas: face, scalp, ears, back of hands. Can look like a wart or thickened patch that won't go away.
Ulcerated SCC
An open sore or wound with raised, rolled edges that refuses to heal. May bleed, crust, or weep. This is a warning sign that the cancer has grown deeper into the skin and requires urgent medical attention.
SCC at the Eye Corner (High-Risk Site)
The eye corners, ears, lips, and genitals are high-risk sites where SCC is far more likely to spread to lymph nodes. This lesion at the lateral canthus is marked for biopsy, a common clinical step before surgical removal.
Educational images only. SCC can appear differently depending on location, skin tone, and stage. Any sore, lump, or rough patch that doesn't heal within a few weeks should be assessed by a doctor promptly. Cancer Council Australia and healthdirect have further information.
Squamous cell carcinoma is more aggressive and can spread if untreated.
Higher risk of metastasis than BCC
Linked to chronic sun exposure
Increasingly diagnosed in younger outdoor workers
Australia vs the World
Australia is a global outlier.
UV radiation levels are among the highest on Earth
Melanoma incidence is multiple times higher than Europe and North America
UV radiation is a leading preventable cause of cancer in Australia
This is not just behaviour, it's environment and access.
Download the ABCDE Skin Check Guide
The ABCDE rule is the most widely used tool for identifying potential skin cancer. Our free guide explains each step in plain language with clear examples, suitable for personal use, schools, workplaces, and community groups.
Print it out. Share it with your family. Put it on your fridge. Early detection saves lives.
Download ABCDE Guide (PDF)The ABCDE Rule at a glance
Asymmetry
One half doesn't match the other
Border
Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred
Colour
Multiple shades of brown, black, red, or white
Diameter
Larger than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser
Evolving
Any change in size, shape, colour, or new symptoms
If you notice any of these signs, see a doctor promptly. Do not wait.
Prevention works
Regular sunscreen use:
Reduces melanoma risk
Reduces non-melanoma skin cancers
Works best when available consistently
Yet access remains uneven across schools, universities, sporting clubs and community settings.