Bowen’s disease is a very early form of skin cancer that’s easily treatable. The main sign is a red, scaly patch on the skin.
It affects the squamous cells – which are in the outermost layer of skin – and is sometimes referred to as squamous cell carcinoma in situ.
The patch is usually very slow-growing, but there’s a small chance it could turn into a more serious type of skin cancer if left untreated.
Bowen’s disease usually affects older people in their 60s and 70s.
The exact cause is unclear, but it has been closely linked with:
- Long-term exposure to the sun or use of sunbeds – especially in people with fair skin
- Having a weak immune system – for example, it’s more common in people taking medication to suppress their immune system after an organ transplant, or those with AIDS
- Previously having radiotherapy treatment
- The human papillomavirus (HPV) – a common virus that often affects the genital area and can cause genital warts
Bowen’s disease doesn’t run in families and you can’t pass it on to others.