What are the Risk Factors for Skin Cancer?

Understanding Skin Cancer: Causes & High-Risk Groups

Skin cancer affects one of the largest organs in the body. In this condition, abnormal skin cells multiply abruptly. Various risk factors can increase one’s chances of developing this cancer. Knowing them can help you prevent them from happening.

What Factors Increase the Risk of Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer can happen to anyone. However, certain risk factors may accelerate the process. They are:

Excessive UV Exposure

It is one of the most common risk factors for this cancer. Regardless of whether you experience long-term exposure or short-term intense exposure, protecting your skin is of utmost importance. The skin's DNA gets damaged when exposed to UV.

Sunburn History

If you have a previous history of getting sunburned multiple times, your chances of getting skin cancer increase. Therefore, people working as farmers, gardeners, construction workers and other outdoor jobs have a significantly higher chance of developing non-melanoma skin cancer.

Skin Colour

Skin colour plays a vital role in sun protection. People with dark-coloured skin have more melanin, protecting them from UV. However, white-skinned people do not contain enough melanin to protect them from skin cancer. Therefore, they can develop non-melanoma skin cancer.

However, it does not mean people with a darker complexion cannot develop this disease. They can get melanoma skin cancer, which affects the nail beds, palms and feet.

Albinism

This condition affects your skin's melanin production capabilities. It is a genetic condition where the skin and hair become pale white and blonde, completely devoid of melanin. People afflicted with this are at a higher risk.

Family History

If any of your family members previously had squamous cell skin cancer (SCC), your chances also increase. Similarly, if a family member suffers from basal cell skin cancer (BCC), your risk increases as well.

Past Medical History

One’s chances of developing this disease increase if they have had skin cancer before. Contrary to this, people who have never had this disease have a lower chance. Therefore, you should always cover yourself when stepping out in the sun.

Environmental Factors

People staying in elevated areas often face greater intensity of UV rays. This is because higher altitudes have a thinner atmosphere, which cannot filter the sun’s UV rays as effectively.

Smoking

Apart from being the primary cause of lung cancer in the world, smoking can also result in skin cancer on the lips. If you are struggling with tobacco and smoking, you are not alone. Getting help can help you prevent further health complications.

Other Risk Factors

Along with the above-mentioned risk factors, certain others also exist. They are not directly related to your skin, but they can increase your chances. They are as follows:

• A weaker immune system increases your risk. This is especially true if you had a bone marrow transplant or an organ transplant.
• If you have HIV or AIDS
• Inflammatory bowel disease can also increase your risk
• If you have a skin condition known as solar keratosis. Years of sun exposure lead to scaly, red, small and rough patches on your skin
• Older age makes your skin weaker in protecting against the sun
• Men are more likely to develop skin cancer
• If you have atypical or multiple nevi moles
• Coal and arsenic exposure

Knowing these risk factors helps you adopt appropriate measures to stop UV damage to your skin. Moreover, it can help you notice symptoms early and start treatment before it spreads.