The Causes of Skin Cancer
Sunlight is the underlying cause for most skin cancers:
- Chronic sun exposure is linked to nonmelanomas
- Intermittent, intense exposure is linked to melanoma
For example, people who are in the sun:
- Regularly are at greater risk for developing nonmelanoma skin cancer
- Occasionally but get sunburned have a higher risk of developing melanoma
What About Tanning Beds?
Studies show there’s a link between developing melanoma and using a tanning bed on a regular basis. There’s been an increase in the number of young women developing melanoma, particularly on their trunk, who have a history of using tanning beds.
What About Genetics?
Some cases of skin cancer are inherited or have a genetic basis. If skin cancer is inherited, it’s usually seen in families with a number of members diagnosed with skin cancer.
If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with skin cancer, your risk is greater than the regular population for developing skin cancer. If you have a history of skin cancer, you have an increased risk of developing skin cancer again.
If you are concerned that you or a member of your family may have a hereditary condition that may affect your chances of developing melanoma, a more dangerous form of skin cancer, ask your physician for a referral to the Scott & White Cancer Genetics Clinic for genetic counseling and possible genetic testing to determine whether you have a genetic predisposition to the disease.