Skin Cancer in Canada: Types, Warning Signs & Why Early Detection Saves Lives

Skin cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in Canada and the most preventable. Yet far too many Canadians delay seeking professional evaluation until symptoms are advanced. This post breaks down the three primary types of skin cancer, what to watch for, and why Edmonton residents should make skin health a year-round priority.

How Common Is Skin Cancer in Canada?

Skin cancer accounts for approximately one-third of all new cancer diagnoses in Canada each year. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that physicians diagnose over 80,000 Canadians with non-melanoma skin cancer annually, plus several thousand more with melanoma. In Alberta, rising UV index levels combined with outdoor lifestyle habits make skin protection — and early detection — essential.

The encouraging reality: caught early, skin cancer responds extremely well to treatment in the vast majority of cases.

The Three Main Types of Skin Cancer

1. Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for the majority of all diagnoses. It originates in the basal cells at the base of the outer layer of skin and most commonly appears on areas frequently exposed to the sun: the face, neck, scalp, ears, and hands.

BCC rarely spreads to other parts of the body, but without treatment, it can grow deeper into surrounding tissues and bone, causing significant damage. Early signs include:

• A shiny or pearly bump on the skin
• A flat, flesh-coloured or brown scar-like lesion
• A pink growth with raised edges and a crusted centre
• A bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)

Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the squamous cells in the outer layer of the skin. It is the second most common type of skin cancer and more likely to spread than BCC if left untreated. SCC can develop from precancerous lesions called actinic keratoses — rough, scaly patches that often develop on sun-exposed skin.

Signs of squamous cell carcinoma include:

• A firm, red nodule or bump
• A flat lesion with a scaly, crusted surface
• A new sore or raised area on an existing scar
• A rough, wart-like growth

3. Melanoma

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. It originates in the melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells — and can spread rapidly to lymph nodes and other organs if not caught early. Though it makes up a smaller proportion of skin cancer diagnoses, melanoma causes the large majority of skin cancer deaths.

Melanoma can look like an unusual mole, a dark spot, or even a lesion that does not look obviously cancerous. The ABCDE rule (Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Evolving) is the starting point for self-evaluation, but you should always book a professional examination when something looks or feels different.

Concerned about a mole or lesion? At Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic, Dr. Zaki Taher — Edmonton’s only Board-Certified Dermatologist — offers comprehensive mole mapping and skin cancer evaluations. Book your complimentary consultation at lucereskin.com.

What Causes Skin Cancer?

The primary cause of most skin cancers is ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. UV radiation damages the DNA in skin cells over time and unlike a single sunburn, cumulative damage builds silently over years.

Other contributing factors include:

• A history of severe sunburns, especially in childhood
• Prolonged or repeated UV exposure without protection
• Use of indoor tanning beds
• Fair skin, light eyes, or a high number of moles
• Family history of skin cancer
• Exposure to radiation or certain chemicals
• A weakened immune system

Edmonton’s UV index does not disappear in winter. Snow reflection can increase UV exposure considerably, and UV rays penetrate cloud cover, making SPF a year-round essential, not a summer afterthought.

Protecting Your Skin Year-Round in Edmonton

Prevention is the most powerful tool against skin cancer. Consistent sun protection practices dramatically reduce long-term UV exposure and skin damage.

• Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every morning as the final step in your skincare routine
• Reapply every two hours when outdoors
• Wear protective clothing, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat
• Seek shade during peak UV hours (10am – 4pm)
• Never use tanning beds
• Perform monthly skin self-checks using the ABCDE rule
• Schedule an annual professional skin exam with a dermatologist

Medical-grade sunscreens available through Lucere — including options from Vivier Skin, ZO Skin Health, and SkinCeuticals — provide reliable, well-formulated protection for all skin types and tones.

When to See a Dermatologist in Edmonton

A professional skin examination should not wait until something looks “obviously wrong.” Annual screenings allow a board-certified dermatologist to track changes, identify precancerous lesions early, and intervene before progression.

Book a skin check with a dermatologist if:

• You have not had a professional skin examination in over a year
• You have a mole or lesion that is new, changing, bleeding, or itching
• You have a personal or family history of skin cancer
• You have a history of significant sun exposure or tanning bed use
• You have atypical or dysplastic moles

Frequently Asked Questions: Skin Cancer

What is the difference between melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer?

Non-melanoma skin cancers — primarily basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma — originate in non-pigment-producing cells and rarely spread. Melanoma originates in melanocytes and carries a significantly higher risk of spreading to other organs. All three types require treatment, but the urgency and approach differ.

Can skin cancer develop on skin that is never in the sun?

Yes. While UV exposure is the leading cause, skin cancer can develop on areas with minimal sun exposure, including the palms, soles, nails, and genitals. This is why a full-body skin examination by a dermatologist is more thorough than a self-check.

Are dark-skinned people protected from skin cancer?

People with darker skin tones have more natural UV protection from melanin, but are not immune to skin cancer. Doctors often diagnose melanoma in darker-skinned individuals at a later stage, in part because it frequently appears in less obvious locations like the nail beds and palms. Skin cancer awareness is important for all skin tones.

What is mole mapping?

Mole mapping is a comprehensive, full-body photographic documentation of your moles and skin lesions. It allows a dermatologist to track changes over time, a particularly valuable tool for patients with a high number of moles or an elevated risk of melanoma.

Skin cancer awareness starts with action. At Lucere Dermatology & Laser Clinic, our Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Zaki Taher is here to provide thorough, expert skin evaluations at our Edmonton South and Downtown locations. Book your consultation at lucereskin.com or call 780-461-1188.