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What Are the Causes of Skin Cancer Common Risk Factors Genetics and More
By Julie Lynn MarksMedically Reviewed by Thomas Urban Marron, MD, PhDReviewed: July 16, 2020Medically ReviewedSun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer.Everyday HealthSkin cancer happens when DNA changes in skin cells cause the cells to grow out of control and form tumors. Many factors can increase your risk for developing a gene defect that leads to cancer.
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Lily Watson 1 minutes ago
The most well-known cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tannin...
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Harper Kim Member
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The most well-known cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tanning beds. Other risk factors depend on the type of skin cancer, but many of the risk factors overlap.
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Nathan Chen Member
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The good news is there are ways to reduce your risk, and if you detect skin cancer early on, it’s usually very treatable. (1)
RELATED: Sunscreen Glossary: A Guide for Decoding Every SPF Term You Need to Know
What Are the Common Risk Factors for Skin Cancer
The three main types of skin cancer include: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
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Evelyn Zhang 2 minutes ago
Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, which are sometimes called “nonmelanomas,” a...
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Sofia Garcia Member
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Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, which are sometimes called “nonmelanomas,” account for about 99 percent of all skin cancers. Though melanoma is rare, it’s the most dangerous form. (2)
Exposure to UV light is the main cause for all skin cancer types.
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William Brown 20 minutes ago
Other risk factors include: (3,4,5)Light skin and features While anyone can develop skin cancer, th...
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Sophia Chen 20 minutes ago
Experts believe this is probably due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over time.Sex Men are...
Other risk factors include: (3,4,5)Light skin and features While anyone can develop skin cancer, those with fair skin, freckles, light eyes, or red or blond hair have a higher risk than individuals with darker skin and features. People with albinism, a condition that causes a lack of skin pigment, also have a higher chance of developing skin cancer.Sunburns Having a history of sunburns in childhood or adulthood may be a risk factor for skin cancer.Age Your chances of developing all types of skin cancer increase as you get older.
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Sophia Chen 2 minutes ago
Experts believe this is probably due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over time.Sex Men are...
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Ella Rodriguez 4 minutes ago
RELATED: 6 Steps for Choosing a Clean and Safe Sunscreen
UV Exposure The Biggest Culprit
UV radiat...
Experts believe this is probably due to the cumulative effect of sun exposure over time.Sex Men are more likely than women to develop basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.Moles Having many moles, unusual-looking moles, or certain syndromes that cause moles to form may increase your odds of developing melanoma.Exposure to chemicals Certain harmful substances, such as arsenic, paraffin, coal tar, and petroleum products may bolster your risk for developing basal cell and squamous cell cancers.Radiation therapy People who have had radiation therapy in the past may be at higher risk of skin cancers.Previous skin cancers If you’ve had a basal cell cancer, squamous cell cancer, or melanoma, you’re more likely to develop another one.Skin injuries Scars from severe burns or damage caused by some skin diseases may slightly increase your risk for basal cell and squamous cell cancers.Smoking People who smoke are more apt to develop squamous cell carcinoma, especially on their lips.Psoriasis treatments Some psoriasis therapies, such as psoralens and UV light treatments, may up your risk for squamous cell skin cancer and possibly other types as well.Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) This rare, inherited disorder lessens the ability of skin cells to repair damage caused by the sun. People with this condition may develop numerous skin cancers, including melanoma, starting in childhood.Basal cell nevus syndrome (also called Gorlin syndrome) This uncommon congenital condition causes people to develop many basal cell cancers throughout their lifetime.Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection Some types of HPV may be linked to the development of skin cancers.Weak immune system People with a weakened immune system, whether it’s caused by certain medical conditions or treatments, are more likely to develop skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and rarer forms of skin cancer.Family history Your risk for melanoma is higher if you’ve had a parent, brother, sister, or child with the cancer.Sunny climates People who live in warm, sunny climates may be exposed to more sunlight and have an increased risk of skin cancer.Actinic keratosis (AK) Precancerous lesions, called actinic keratoses (AK), can develop into squamous cell carcinomas.
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William Brown 10 minutes ago
RELATED: 6 Steps for Choosing a Clean and Safe Sunscreen
UV Exposure The Biggest Culprit
UV radiat...
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RELATED: 6 Steps for Choosing a Clean and Safe Sunscreen
UV Exposure The Biggest Culprit
UV radiation from the sun is the number one cause of skin cancer. These harmful rays, which can also be transmitted through tanning beds, damage the genes inside skin cells, which causes the cells to grow out of control.
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Julia Zhang 2 minutes ago
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About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86 percent of melanomas are linked to UV rays. ...
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Grace Liu 16 minutes ago
They typically crop up on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, ears, hands, neck, and arms. (8)
Some...
(6)
About 90 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers and 86 percent of melanomas are linked to UV rays. (7)
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas often develop after many years of sun exposure.
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Henry Schmidt 2 minutes ago
They typically crop up on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, ears, hands, neck, and arms. (8)
Some...
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Audrey Mueller Member
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They typically crop up on sun-exposed areas, such as the face, ears, hands, neck, and arms. (8)
Some research suggests that the pattern and timing of UV exposure may affect the development of melanoma. For instance, melanomas on the chest, back, and legs have been linked to frequent sunburns in childhood.
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Zoe Mueller 1 minutes ago
These melanomas may be different from melanomas that start on the face, neck, and arms, which might ...
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Hannah Kim 9 minutes ago
Just one indoor tanning session can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Women who use i...
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Grace Liu Member
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These melanomas may be different from melanomas that start on the face, neck, and arms, which might be due to more continuous sun exposure. On the other hand, some melanomas are found in areas where there’s been little or no sun exposure, including the soles of the feet, nail beds, mouth, or vagina. (3,4,5)
Tanning beds, booths, and sun lamps give off harmful UV light and are just as dangerous as the sun.
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Andrew Wilson 25 minutes ago
Just one indoor tanning session can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Women who use i...
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James Smith 24 minutes ago
The data on indoor tanning is so alarming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires ...
Just one indoor tanning session can increase your chances of developing skin cancer. Women who use indoor tanning equipment before they turn 30 years old are six times more likely to develop melanoma.
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Sebastian Silva 14 minutes ago
The data on indoor tanning is so alarming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires ...
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Sophia Chen 14 minutes ago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that if no one younger than 18 used a...
The data on indoor tanning is so alarming that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires warning labels on all indoor devices.
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Natalie Lopez 4 minutes ago
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that if no one younger than 18 used a...
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Brandon Kumar Member
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that if no one younger than 18 used a tanning bed, about 61,839 cases of melanoma would be prevented. (9)
RELATED: 7 Sunscreen Mistakes That Hurt Your Skin
What Role Do Genes Play
Researchers are still trying to determine the role that genetics plays in different types of skin cancer.
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Sebastian Silva Member
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A gene called TP53 is commonly altered in squamous cell carcinomas, while the PTCH1 or PTCH2 genes are often mutated in basal cell carcinomas. (10)
People with the inherited condition xeroderma pigmentosum also have a high risk for skin cancer. This disorder happens because of a change in one of the XP (ERCC) genes.
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Christopher Lee Member
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Melanomas seem to have more of a hereditary link than basal or squamous cell skin cancers. While most cases are related to environmental exposure, researchers estimate that about 5 to 10 percent of melanomas are due to an inherited gene mutation. Parents with these mutations have a 50/50 chance of passing them on to each of their children.
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Harper Kim 25 minutes ago
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One form of hereditary melanoma, known as familial atypical mole-melanoma syndrome (FAM-M syndr...
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Sebastian Silva 25 minutes ago
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Scientists are still learning about how different inherited genes raise the risk for melanom...
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One form of hereditary melanoma, known as familial atypical mole-melanoma syndrome (FAM-M syndrome), may be caused by genetic changes in the CDKN2A gene. Another gene, called CDK4, is linked to familial melanomas. The well-known hereditary breast cancer gene BRCA2 may also be associated an increased risk of melanoma.
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Henry Schmidt 40 minutes ago
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Scientists are still learning about how different inherited genes raise the risk for melanom...
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Scientists are still learning about how different inherited genes raise the risk for melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. RELATED: 10 Sun-Care Products That Dermatologists Use
People With Dark Skin Can Develop Skin Cancer Too
Skin cancer is more likely to affect people with lighter skin because they have less pigment to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays. But dark-skinned individuals can also develop skin cancer.
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Christopher Lee 21 minutes ago
When skin cancers do occur in Black Americans or other People of Color, they’re usually diagnosed ...
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Mason Rodriguez 30 minutes ago
One study found the average five-year melanoma survival rate was only 65 percent for Black Americans...
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James Smith Moderator
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When skin cancers do occur in Black Americans or other People of Color, they’re usually diagnosed at a later stage because there’s a lack of awareness about risk in the general population, and even physicians may be slow to suspect skin cancer because it’s less common in these populations. Unfortunately, late detection means a worse prognosis.
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Grace Liu 14 minutes ago
One study found the average five-year melanoma survival rate was only 65 percent for Black Americans...
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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
Skin Cancer 101. Skin Cancer Foundation. February 2019....
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Brandon Kumar Member
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One study found the average five-year melanoma survival rate was only 65 percent for Black Americans compared with 91 percent for Caucasians. Another study revealed that late-stage melanoma diagnoses were more prevalent in Hispanic and Black Americans than non-Hispanic whites. It’s important that people with darker skin examine their skin often for any changes and see their dermatologist for regular checkups.
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Cleveland Clinic. May 9, 2019.Show LessNEWSLETTERS
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Cleveland Clinic. May 9, 2019.Show LessNEWSLETTERS
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Sophia Chen 73 minutes ago
What Are the Causes of Skin Cancer — Common Risk Factors, Genetics, and More Everyday Health ...
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Harper Kim 76 minutes ago
The most well-known cause of skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or tannin...