Skin Cancer Health Center

People with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. Risk factors vary for the different types of skin cancer.

In general, being exposed to too much sun and other types of UV radiation (tanning booths), is the leading cause of the most common skin cancers.

Sun facts

Sunlight can be reflected by sand, water, snow, ice and pavement. The sun's rays can get through clouds, windshields, windows and light clothing.

In the United States, skin cancer is more common where the sun is strong. For example, more people in Texas than Minnesota get skin cancer. Also, the sun is stronger at higher elevations, such as in the mountains.

Risks for skin cancer

The risk factors for the three most common types of skin cancer are:

• Sunlight. Sunlight is a source of UV radiation. It's the most important risk factor for any type of skin cancer, because the sun's rays cause skin damage that can lead to cancer.
• Severe, blistering sunburns. People who have had at least one severe sunburn that results in blistering are at increased risk of skin cancer. Although people who burn easily are more likely to have had sunburns as a child, sunburns during adulthood also increase the risk of skin cancer.
• Lifetime sun exposure. The total amount of sun exposure over a lifetime is a risk factor for skin cancer. So, the more sun you’ve had, the greater risks you have.
• Tanning. Even people who tan well without burning have a higher risk of skin cancer because they have had more sun exposure during their lifetime.
• Personal history. People who have had melanoma, have an increased risk of developing other melanomas. Also, people who have had basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer have an increased risk of developing another skin cancer of any type.
• Family history. Melanoma and other skin cancers can run in families.
• Skin that burns easily. Having fair (pale) skin that burns in the sun easily, blue or gray eyes, red or blond hair or many freckles increases the risk of skin cancer.
• Certain medical conditions or medicines. Some medical conditions or medicines make your skin more sensitive to sun and therefore increase the risk of skin cancers.

Doctors encourage people to limit their exposure to sunlight. This includes:

• Sunlamps and tanning booths. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning booths, can cause skin damage and skin cancer.
• You are strongly encouraged, especially young people, to avoid using sunlamps and tanning booths.
• The risk of skin cancer is greatly increased by using sunlamps and tanning booths before age 30.