Basal cell carcinoma is the commonest, and the least life-threatening, form of skin cancer.
The reported incidence of basal cell carcinomas has drastically increased over recent decades and continues to rise. They usually appear as a red lump or scaly area. They grow slowly, rarely spread to other parts of the body and can usually be removed surgically.
The non-melanoma skin cancers; basal and squamous cell carcinoma, are not usually fatal, but their surgical treatment can result in scars.