Types of Skin Cancer in Australia: Melanoma, BCC, and SCC Explained

Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world — and understanding the different types of skin cancer is the first step towards protecting yourself and your family. Not all skin cancers are the same. They vary significantly in how they look, how fast they grow, how dangerous they are, and how they are treated. This guide covers the three main types every Australian should know.

The 3 Main Types of Skin Cancer in Australia

When doctors and dermatologists talk about skin cancer, they are almost always referring to one of three main types: melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Together, these account for the overwhelming majority of skin cancer diagnoses in Australia each year.

Type	How Common	Danger Level	Can It Spread?
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)	Most common (70–80% of all cases)	Low — rarely life-threatening	Very rarely
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)	Second most common (~20% of cases)	Moderate — can spread if untreated	Yes, to lymph nodes
Melanoma	Less common but most serious	High — can be life-threatening	Yes, to organs and lymph nodes

1. Melanoma — The Most Dangerous Type of Skin Cancer

Melanoma develops in the melanocytes — the skin cells that produce pigment (colour). It is the most deadly type of skin cancer because it can spread rapidly to lymph nodes and other organs if not caught early. Australia has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world, with more than 15,000 new diagnoses each year.

The good news: when detected at stage 1, the five-year survival rate for melanoma exceeds 98%. When detected late, that figure drops significantly — making early detection absolutely critical.

What Does Melanoma Look Like?

• A new mole or spot that appears after the age of 20–30
• An existing mole that changes in size, shape, or colour
• A mole that is asymmetrical — one half doesn’t match the other
• Irregular or blurred edges on a mole
• Multiple colours within a single mole (brown, black, red, white, or blue)
• Diameter larger than 6mm (pencil eraser width)
• Any mole that bleeds, itches, or crusts without being scratched

Who Is Most at Risk of Melanoma?

• People with fair skin, light eyes, or light hair
• Those with a family history of melanoma
• People with more than 50 moles or atypical (dysplastic) moles
• Anyone with a history of blistering sunburn, especially in childhood
• People who have used tanning beds

2. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) — The Most Common Type

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common of the three main types of skin cancer in Australia, accounting for roughly 70–80% of all cases. It develops in the basal cells — the deepest layer of the outer skin — and grows slowly. BCC almost never spreads to other organs, but it can cause significant local damage if left untreated, eating into surrounding tissue including bone, cartilage, and nerves.

BCC is found most often on areas of skin that receive the most sun: the face, scalp, neck, and hands.

What Does BCC Look Like?

• A pearly, shiny, or translucent bump — often with small blood vessels visible on the surface
• A flat, flesh-coloured or scar-like lesion that may look like eczema
• A reddish patch of skin, particularly on the trunk or shoulders
• A sore that repeatedly heals and then reopens or bleeds
• A pink growth with raised edges and a crusted centre

Is Basal Cell Carcinoma Dangerous?

BCC is very rarely life-threatening. However, if ignored, it can grow deeply and destructively into surrounding tissue. The longer it is left untreated, the more complex and extensive the treatment required. BCCs are highly curable when caught and treated early — which is why regular annual skin checks matter.

3. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) — The Middle Ground

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common type of skin cancer in Australia. It develops in the squamous cells — the flat cells in the outer layer of skin. SCC sits between BCC and melanoma in terms of seriousness: it grows faster than BCC and has a greater capacity to spread to nearby lymph nodes and, in rare cases, to other organs.

SCC can develop from actinic keratoses (rough, scaly patches caused by sun damage) — which is why these pre-cancerous spots should always be assessed by a doctor rather than ignored.

What Does SCC Look Like?

• A firm, red nodule or lump
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
• A new sore, or a sore that forms on an existing scar or wound
• A rough, wart-like growth that may bleed
• A red sore or rough patch inside the mouth
• A red or scaly patch on the lip

Melanoma vs Basal Cell Carcinoma vs SCC — Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Melanoma	BCC	SCC
Origin	Melanocytes (pigment cells)	Basal cells (deep epidermis)	Squamous cells (outer skin layer)
Growth Speed	Can grow rapidly	Slow	Moderate to fast
Spreads?	Yes — to organs and lymph nodes	Very rarely	Can spread to lymph nodes
Most Common Location	Back (men), legs (women)	Face, head, neck	Face, ears, lips, hands
Early Survival Rate	98%+ if stage 1	Very high — highly curable	High if treated early
Main Cause	UV radiation; genetic factors	Cumulative UV exposure	Cumulative UV; pre-cancerous lesions

What Type of Skin Cancer Is Most Deadly?

Melanoma is by far the most deadly type of skin cancer. While it accounts for a smaller proportion of total skin cancer diagnoses than BCC or SCC, it causes the majority of skin cancer deaths due to its capacity to spread to other organs if undetected. This is why melanoma awareness and early detection are such important public health priorities in Australia.

That said, SCC can also become life-threatening if it spreads — particularly in immunocompromised patients or those who leave it untreated for a long period. BCC, while rarely fatal, should never be dismissed as harmless — it requires proper treatment to prevent local tissue destruction.

Sun Protection — Your Best Defence Against All Types of Skin Cancer

The single greatest preventable cause of all three types of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Australia’s UV levels are among the highest in the world. The evidence-based sun protection steps recommended by SunSmart Australia include:

• Apply SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning — even on cloudy days
• Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, or after swimming
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat and UV-protective clothing in the sun
• Seek shade between 10am and 2pm when UV is at its strongest
• Wear UV-rated sunglasses to protect the thin skin around your eyes
• Never use tanning beds — they significantly increase your risk of melanoma

Related reading:
When Did You Last Have a Skin Cancer Check?
Full Body Mole Mapping Melbourne
Skin Cancer in Australia: Key Statistics
Melanoma vs Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Trusted External Resources
Cancer Council Australia — Skin Cancer Types
SunSmart Australia — About Skin Cancer

Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Skin Cancer

What are the 3 main types of skin cancer?

The three main types of skin cancer are: melanoma (the most serious), basal cell carcinoma or BCC (the most common), and squamous cell carcinoma or SCC. All three are primarily caused by UV radiation from the sun and are highly treatable when detected early.

What are the 4 types of skin cancer?

The three main types are melanoma, BCC, and SCC. A fourth, less common type is Merkel cell carcinoma — a rare but aggressive skin cancer that develops from pressure-sensing cells in the skin. There are also other rare skin cancers including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and cutaneous lymphoma, but these are uncommon. The three main types account for the vast majority of diagnoses in Australia.

What type of skin cancer is most deadly?

Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer because it can spread rapidly to lymph nodes and other organs if not detected early. Australia has one of the world’s highest melanoma rates. When caught at stage 1, melanoma has a five-year survival rate of over 98%. When found at an advanced stage, survival rates drop significantly.

Is melanoma the only type of skin cancer?

No. Melanoma is actually less common than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — it just receives more attention because it is the most dangerous. BCC accounts for approximately 70–80% of all skin cancers in Australia, making it by far the most frequently diagnosed type.

Can skin cancer spread to other parts of the body?

It depends on the type. Melanoma can spread (metastasise) to lymph nodes, lungs, liver, brain, and other organs — particularly if left untreated. SCC can spread to nearby lymph nodes and, less commonly, to other organs. BCC very rarely spreads beyond its original site, though it can grow destructively into local tissue if untreated.

How do I know what type of skin cancer I have?

A definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy — a small tissue sample taken by a doctor and examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Your skin cancer doctor may suspect the type based on the lesion’s appearance during examination, but a biopsy is the only way to confirm it. If you have a suspicious mole or lesion, book an assessment at Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic — no referral needed.

Are different types of skin cancer treated differently?

Yes. Treatment depends on the type, size, depth, and location of the skin cancer. Melanoma may require wide excision, sentinel lymph node biopsy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy depending on the stage. BCC is often treated with simple excision or topical creams. SCC typically requires excision, and in some cases radiation therapy or sentinel node biopsy if it has spread.

Do I need a referral to have a skin lesion checked in Melbourne?

No. Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic in Templestowe does not require a GP referral. You can book directly through the clinic website or call (03) 8840 1410. Early assessment is always better — if you have a mole or lesion you are concerned about, please book promptly.

Published by Manningham Skin Cancer Clinic, 200 High Street (Level 4, Lower), Templestowe VIC 3107. This article is for general information purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified doctor for personalised guidance.