Prevention/illnesses | 26.3.2026
Skin cancer prevention: recognise potential warning signs
Globally, skin cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer. The most important steps you can take to help prevent it are: practising effective sun protection, performing regular skin self-examinations and attending routine skin screenings to support early detection. When identified at an early stage, skin cancer is often highly treatable. This article provides more information about the prevention, symptoms and treatment of skin cancer, as well as mole removal. You can also learn about the skin cancer prevention benefits covered under basic and supplementary health insurance.
Types of skin cancer
Skin cancer develops when skin cells mutate and become malignant. They change their appearance and the way they grow and divide, and they grow uncontrollably. There is a distinction made between non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancer.
Skin cancer precursors
Skin changes, which are often difficult to detect, can be precursors to skin cancer. If left untreated, they can develop into skin cancer. This is because malignant mutated cells may already be present at this stage; they just haven’t yet spread into the deeper layers of the skin.
- Characteristics: raw, reddened and sometimes flaky areas of skin.
- Body regions affected: often areas of the body that are particularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, scalp, neck, shoulders, décolleté, hands or the tops of the feet.
- The treatment process: it is often sufficient for a dermatologist to treat with creams and superficial therapy methods. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is also a possibility. This destroys malignant cells by means of a chemical reaction.
Non-melanoma skin cancer
Non-melanoma skin cancer often looks harmless and causes no symptoms at first. However, unusual spots or areas of skin that suddenly become raw may be signs of skin cancer and should be evaluated by a doctor.
