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Department - Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Home
What is skin cancer? | Types of skin cancer | Take the time to spot the difference | Skin checks | FAQs
What is skin cancer?
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Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in Australia, with 80 per cent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia being skin cancer. It is a type of cancer that begins in the lower layer of the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). The epidermis contains three different types of cells: squamous cells, basal cells and melanocytes. Skin cancer is predominantly caused by an accumulation of overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet radiation (UVR) penetrating the skin and damaging these living cells.

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