Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and it develops in cells called melanocytes – which control the pigment of your skin. It usually crops up on the parts of your body which have been overexposed to the sun. However, it can also occur on your eyes (ocular melanoma) or on parts of our body which rarely see the sun – like the palms of your hands, the soles of your feet, under your nails and even in your nether regions.

There’s several different ‘stages’ of melanoma, which refer to how much it has grown and if it has spread into your bloodstream and established itself in other parts of your body. To add to it’s sneakiness… Melanoma can be raised or flat, fast or slow growing and even pink or white in colour (especially if you have fair skin). Which makes getting checked such an important priority. Thankfully, the earlier you find it, the better your chances of beating it will be.