What is the most common type of skin cancer called?

The most common type of skin cancer is known as non-melanoma skin cancer, which encompasses a variety of types, with basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma being the most prevalent forms. Non-melanoma skin cancer specifically refers to cancers that arise from the outer layer of the skin and is characterized by its higher incidence compared to melanoma, which is less common but significantly more dangerous.

Understanding that non-melanoma skin cancers are generally less aggressive and have a higher cure rate is essential for recognizing the overall prevalence of skin cancer cases. In contrast, melanoma, while being critically important to understand due to its aggressive nature, does not have the same frequency of occurrence as non-melanoma skin cancers. Options such as carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma point towards specific types but do not encapsulate the broader category that non-melanoma represents.