Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
What Is a Basal Cell Carcinoma?
A Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. It develops from the basal cells, located in the deepest layer of the skin’s outer surface (the epidermis).
BCCs grow slowly and rarely spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body. However, if left untreated, they can cause local damage to surrounding skin, tissues, and nearby structures.
The main cause of BCC is long-term ultraviolet (UV) exposure from the sun or tanning beds. You may be at higher risk if you:
- Have fair skin, light hair, or light-coloured eyes
- Experienced frequent sun exposure or childhood sunburns
- Are older in age, though it can affect younger people too
- Have a weakened immune system or immune-suppressing condition
- Have a personal or family history of skin cancer
BCCs can appear in several forms. Common features include:
- A pearly or shiny bump resembling a pimple that doesn’t heal
- A flat, scaly or pink patch that persists over time
- A sore that bleeds, crusts, or fails to heal completely
- A pale, waxy or scar-like area that slowly enlarges
- They usually occur on sun-exposed areas such as the face, ears, neck, scalp, shoulders, or upper back.
Treatment depends on the size, type, and location of the lesion. Options include:
- Surgical excision – complete removal with a margin of normal skin
- Curettage and cautery – scraping and sealing the affected area
- Cryotherapy – freezing the lesion using liquid nitrogen
- Topical creams – prescription agents such as imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – a targeted, light-based treatment
- Radiation therapy – used when surgery isn’t suitable or possible
Most BCCs are fully curable with appropriate and timely treatment.
After treatment, it’s important to:
- Examine your skin regularly for new or changing lesions
- Attend follow-up reviews as recommended by your doctor
- Protect your skin from the sun by:
- Applying SPF 50+ sunscreen every day
- Wearing hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing outdoors
- Avoiding tanning beds and midday sun exposure
People who have had one BCC are at greater risk of developing another, so lifelong skin checks are essential.
Contact your doctor if you notice:
- A new spot that appears unusual or different from others
- A sore that fails to heal after a few weeks
- A mole or lesion that changes in size, colour, or shape
