Why Did I Get Skin Cancer?

Unfortunately, we do not know many of the factors that cause skin cancer. However, skin cancer does occur more frequently in people with fair complexions (blonde hair, blue eyes), in individuals of Celtic descent, and in those who have had extensive exposure to the sun.

Accumulated exposure to the damaging ultraviolet radiation of the sun over many years may change normal cells of the skin into cancer cells. This is why areas of the body exposed constantly to the sun (face, hands) tend to be more prone to skin cancer than sun-protected areas.

Nonetheless, sun exposure is not the entire answer to the origin of skin cancer. Dark-skinned individuals who hide from the sun can also occasionally develop skin cancer.

Other factors such as genetic predispositions and exposures to environmental agents may also play significant roles. Keep in mind that having a risk factor does not necessarily mean you will get cancer, and not having any of them does not guarantee you won’t.

Additional skin cancer risk factors include:

• Age. Older people are more likely to get skin cancer, but it is not rare to find it in younger people, and it is becoming more common.
• Basal cell nevus syndrome (Gorlin syndrome). People with this condition develop many basal cell carcinomas. The condition is thought to be inherited.
• Being male. In the United States, more men than women get skin cancer.
• Family history. If your parent, child, or sibling is diagnosed with melanoma, you are at increased risk.
• HPV. The human papillomavirus, a very common sexually transmitted virus, increases risk for skin cancer in the genital area.
• Moles. Having a large number of normal moles (more than 50) increases your risk of skin cancer, as does having a rare type of mole called dysplastic nevi.
• Personal history of skin cancer. Once you have had a skin cancer, you are at greater risk for getting one again.
• Prior radiation treatment. Radiation treatment, such as for childhood cancers, increases risk of skin cancer in the area that was treated.
• Severe sunburn. Your risk for skin cancer increases if you have had one or more severe, blistering sunburns in your life, especially during childhood.
• Smoking cigarettes. Smoking is a risk factor for squamous cell cancer.
• Weakened immune system. People with a weakened immune system, such as those with HIV or who have had an organ transplant, are at increased risk for skin cancer.
• Xeroderma pigmentosum. People with this uncommon, inherited condition are at greater risk for skin cancer.

How Can I Protect Myself from Developing Future Skin Cancers?

The only factor that you can control is your continuing exposure to the sun. Proper use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater is the most important preventive measure. Sun protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses can also provide appropriate blocking of damaging rays from the sun.

You do not have to change your lifestyle dramatically -- only use caution and sun protection. You should also plan to commit to regular follow-up examinations of your skin by your dermatologist so that sun-damaged skin can be closely examined in order to detect early signs of future skin cancers.

Learn more about skin cancer:

• Skin Cancer Stages
• Skin Cancer Symptoms
• Types of Skin Cancer