What is basal cell carcinoma and how the is non-melanoma skin cancer Hugh Jackman suffered from treated?

WE ALL should know the importance of taking care of our skin in the sun and slathering on sunscreen.

And actor Hugh Jackman has previously warned his fans to wear sun cream after revealing he has suffered from basal cell carcinoma - a type of skin cancer. Here's what you need to know about the condition.

What is basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a non-melanoma skin cancer which usually develops in the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.

It accounts for 75 per cent of all skin cancers.

BCC is also known as rodent ulcer and it usually appears as a small, pink or white lump with a waxy appearance.

In some cases it can look like a scaly, red patch on the skin and there can be a brown pigment within the patch.

Typically the lump gets bigger over time and can bleed, get crusty or transform into a painless ulcer.

The tumour can usually be found on the skin exposed to the sun, such as the face, shoulders, hands, ears, upper chest and back.

How is basal cell carcinoma treated?

Surgery is often the most common treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer.

It involves the removal of the cancerous tumour and the skin that surrounds it.

In total, Hugh Jackman has had six cancer removal surgeries on his skin to help cure him of BCC. The most recent procedure was earlier this year, when he shared a picture of himself after having skin cut from his nose again.

What other treatments are there for basal cell carcinoma?

Although surgery is the main treatment, there are other treatments available for non-melanoma skin cancer.

These include radiotherapy, anti-cancer creams, freezing and a light treatment called photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Each treatment will depend on the location of the cancer and the type and the size of the tumour.

Can you prevent basal cell carcinoma?

Protecting yourself against the non-melanoma skin cancer isn’t always possible, but there are measures that can help.

These include avoiding being exposed to UV light and sunbeds, and reducing your risk of sunburn by avoiding the sun and using sun tan lotion.

You should check your skin regularly, as an early diagnosis can help your chance of a successful treatment.

Those who have a history of BCC may need frequent check-ups as there is a chance the condition can return.

What are the risks of basal cell carcinoma?

Unlike most other cancers, there is a considerably low risk that the cancer will spread to other parts of the body.

Around 90 per cent of non-melanoma skin cancer cases are successfully cured.

If the tumour isn’t treated fairly early on, however, there is the possibility of skin damage.