Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, and something many people become more conscious of as they get older. The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to reduce your risk, and knowing what changes to look for can help you seek medical advice sooner rather than later.

At Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells, Consultant Plastic Surgeons Mr Ben Way, Ms Ana Borges and Ms Francesca Ruccia see patients with a wide range of skin lesions, including moles, lumps, bumps and suspected skin cancers. Purity Bridge provides assessment and surgical treatment for skin lesions and skin cancer, with treatment planned according to the individual diagnosis.

How can I reduce my chances of getting skin cancer?

One of the most important things you can do is protect your skin from excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure.

Sunburn, particularly repeated sunburn over many years, can increase the risk of developing skin cancer. This does not mean you need to avoid the outdoors altogether. Instead, sensible sun protection should become part of your everyday routine, particularly during the summer and when travelling somewhere sunny.

Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF is an important part of protecting exposed skin. It should be applied generously and reapplied regularly, particularly after swimming, sweating or exercising outdoors.

It is also worth remembering that sunscreen is not the only form of protection. Spending time in the shade, wearing clothing that covers the skin and using a hat can all help reduce UV exposure.

Avoiding sunbeds is another important consideration. Artificial UV radiation can damage the skin and contribute to premature skin ageing as well as increasing the risk of skin cancer.

However, skin cancer is not only something that happens to people who spend hours sunbathing. Your lifetime exposure to UV radiation matters, which is why protecting your skin throughout the year is sensible.

It is also worth getting to know your own skin. If you regularly check your moles and other marks, you are more likely to notice when something changes.

How can I tell if I have skin cancer?

There is no reliable way to diagnose skin cancer simply by looking at a photograph or checking a mole yourself. Some harmless moles and skin lesions can look unusual, while some skin cancers can initially appear quite subtle.

That is why changes in your skin should not be ignored.

For moles, one useful approach is to look for changes in size, shape, colour or appearance. A mole with an irregular border, several different colours or an unusual appearance compared with your other moles may need professional assessment.

You should also seek medical advice if a mole or skin lesion:

• Changes in size, shape or colour
• Starts bleeding or crusting
• Becomes persistently itchy
• Develops an irregular edge
• Becomes painful or otherwise changes
• Looks noticeably different from your other moles
• Appears as a new, unusual mark that does not settle

Not every unusual-looking lesion is cancer. In fact, many skin lesions are completely benign. But it is much better to have something checked and receive reassurance than to ignore a change that needs investigation.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the common types of skin cancer. It can appear as a persistent sore, lump, scab or unusual area of skin that does not heal properly. Melanoma is less common but can be more serious because it has the potential to spread elsewhere in the body.

The important message is simple: if something on your skin is changing or concerning you, arrange an assessment rather than trying to diagnose it yourself.

What happens if a skin cancer is suspected?

The first step is usually a consultation and examination of the lesion. Your surgeon or clinician will consider its appearance, location, size and history before discussing the most appropriate next step.

Sometimes a lesion can be removed surgically under local anaesthetic. At Purity Bridge, mole and skin lesion removal is generally performed under local anaesthetic, with the lesion carefully removed and the wound closed with stitches where appropriate.

An important part of this process is understanding exactly what has been removed.

Why is histology important?

When a suspicious skin lesion is removed, the tissue may be sent to a laboratory for histological examination. Histology involves examining the tissue under a microscope to establish what the lesion actually is.

This can provide important information about whether the lesion is benign, precancerous or cancerous. If cancer is present, the histology can also help determine its type and whether further treatment or monitoring may be required.

This is one reason why skin lesion removal should not simply be viewed as a cosmetic procedure. If there is any medical concern, obtaining an accurate diagnosis is an important part of the treatment pathway.

Removed tissue may be sent for histological examination where appropriate, and our surgical terms will state the pathology or histology laboratory fees applicable.

How much does skin cancer removal surgery cost?

The cost of removing a skin cancer or suspicious skin lesion can vary considerably. There is no single price because the final cost depends on factors such as the size and position of the lesion, the complexity of the procedure, the type of surgery required and whether additional treatment is needed.

At Purity Bridge in Tunbridge Wells, mole and skin lesion removal currently starts from £705. This is a starting price rather than a universal cost for every patient or every type of skin cancer.

A consultation is therefore important before a precise quotation can be provided.

It is also worth asking what is included in the quotation. Depending on the circumstances, there may be separate costs associated with consultation, surgery, pathology or histology. Your Purity Bridge fixed surgical quotation will include the relevant services and facility fees, while laboratory fees such as histology may appear separately.

For this reason, comparing treatment costs purely by looking at an advertised starting price can sometimes be misleading. The most useful question is what the complete treatment pathway is likely to involve and then obtaining a bespoke quotation for your treatment after assessment by our Consultant Plastic Surgeons.

Skin cancer treatment in Tunbridge Wells

If you have noticed a mole or skin lesion that has changed, is not healing or simply does not look right, getting it assessed is a sensible first step.

At Purity Bridge, the skin lesion service covers moles, skin lesions and skin cancers, with Consultant Plastic Surgeons assessing the lesion and discussing appropriate treatment options.

Mr Ben Way, Ms Ana Borges and Ms Francesca Ruccia are Consultant Plastic Surgeons and are part of the Purity Bridge team in Tunbridge Wells. All are fully registered specialists in plastic surgery, and Purity Bridge is a CQC-regulated clinic.

Ultimately, prevention and early assessment go hand in hand. Protecting your skin from excessive UV exposure can help reduce your risk, while becoming familiar with your own skin can make it easier to notice changes.

If you are worried about a particular mole or skin lesion, do not wait for it to become obviously problematic. A professional assessment can provide reassurance when a lesion is harmless and, where necessary, help ensure appropriate treatment is started without unnecessary delay.