Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Essential Guide for Australians
Updated: Aug 26
Australia experiences some of the highest skin cancer rates in the world. Melanoma tends to get most of the attention and focus in public health discussions, but Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is actually far more common, making up a large volume of skin cancer diagnoses each year.
As a skin cancer doctor, I diagnose and treat SCC regularly. If it’s caught early, it’s highly treatable, with high cure rates. But unlike Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), SCC tends to grow faster and, if left untreated, it can spread (metastasise) to nearby lymph nodes.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Warning Signs to Watch For.
Many patients come in with what they assume is a minor abrasion or a localised patch of chronic sun damage that fails to resolve. SCC primarily develops on areas of the body with high cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, such as the ears, nose, lower lip, bald areas of the scalp, lower legs and the backs of the hands.
Key clinical features to observe include:
A sore (lesion) that won’t heal: A patch of skin that scabs over, bleeds easily, undergoes minor crusting, or just won’t heal after several weeks.
A lump that’s growing fast: A firm, often tender, red lump that increases in size week to week, rather than over a period of months.
A rough, scaly patch (Hyperkeratosis): An area of skin that feels dry, crusty, or abrasive like sandpaper, and might be sore when you touch or press it.
A hard, horn-like growth: Occasionally, the skin produces a build-up of hard, thickened tissue (overproduction of keratin) that comes out from the skin surface - this can be sitting on top of an SCC or a pre-cancerous spot.
The bottom line: If any spot or sore hasn’t healed on its own within six weeks, it needs to be checked by a medical professional.
Who Is Most at Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)?
SCC is common in Australia because of high UV levels and a population that spends a lot of time outdoors. It’s important to know that the SCCs diagnosed today are often the result of sun exposure from decades earlier - sun damage adds up over two to three decades.
Some people are at significantly higher risk:
Outdoor workers: Tradespeople, farmers/agricultural workers, landscapers and anyone who spends long hours outside for work.
Older Generations: People who grew up before sun protection and sunscreen were well understood.
People with a weakened immune system: Including patients managing chronic illnesses or taking immunosuppressive medications (such as organ transplant recipients) - SCC can also grow more aggressively for these individuals.
Clinical Management and Treatment Options for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
If you are diagnosed, the good news is treatment is well established and usually straightforward. Most options are done under local anaesthetic, and you'll be home the same day.
Treatment Modality | Clinical Indications |
Surgical Removal | The standard approach. The spot is surgically removed along with a small margin of healthy skin to ensure complete clearance, verified by a medical lab. |
Scrape and Burn (curettage and cautery) | For low-risk, non-invasive early spots - the lesion is scraped away and the area sealed off with heat. |
Freezing (cryotherapy) | Liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy early, low-risk and non-invasive spots. |
Topical Creams | For very early, surface-level SCC (sometimes called Bowen's disease), a prescription cream can be used to target the abnormal cells directly. |
Preventative Action Plan
Check Your Own Skin Regularly: Perform a systematic skin check once a month in a well-lit room using a full-length mirror, using a hand mirror or asking a partner to check hard-to-see spots.
Use Comprehensive Sun Protection: Public health guidelines emphasise five simple steps for UV defence: Slip on UV-protective clothing, Slop on SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen, Slap on a broad-brimmed hat, Seek shade, and Slide on wrap-around sunglasses.
Schedule Professional Skin Checks: While self-monitoring is valuable, your doctor uses a dermatoscope (a specialised, handheld magnifier) to see the deeper structures of the skin, where changes are invisible to the naked eye.
Early intervention remains the most effective tool against advanced disease. If you have identified a new, changing, or non-healing lesion, please schedule an appointment for a formal clinical assessment.
About the Author
With more than ten years dedicated to skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, Dr Danika Fietz brings deep clinical expertise to every patient she sees. She completed a Master of Medicine in Skin Cancer at The University of Queensland and holds accreditation with the Skin Cancer College Australasia. Committed to early detection and prevention, Dr. Danika focuses on delivering evidence-based, patient-centred care.
To learn more about skin cancer screenings and cosmetic treatments, visit Doctor Dermis.
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