The following risk factors that influence one's risk of developing skin cancer are discussed below:
Ultraviolet Radiation (1)
Skin Color (2)
Sun Sensitivity
Immunosuppression
Prior Diagnosis(3)
Family History
Radiation Therapy(4)
Smoking (5)
Chemical Exposure (5)
Drugs used to treat other conditions(6)
Injury (5)
Geographic Location
Ultraviolet Radiation
Overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation may cause genetic changes (mutations) in skin cells. The genetic changes cause the affected cells to alter their behavior and may result in cancer.(1) Sources of UV radiation include the sun and tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation also induces the production of very reactive chemicals, oxidants, in affected cells.(1) Oxidants cause some of the changes associated with aging and increase one's risk of developing cancer. Below is a diagram showing the radiation from the sun and which parts make it to the surface of the earth. This graphic is interactive, so click on the different boxes to see the penetration of different types of light (including UV) and to see the layers of the atmosphere.
Skin Color & Sun Sensitivity
Fair skin is more susceptible to ultraviolet radiation damage.(2) Caucasians, specifically individuals with freckles, light eyes and/or red hair, are at higher risk of skin damage that may lead to skin cancer.(2)
Immunosuppression
Immunosuppressants weaken the action and efficacy of the immune system and hinder its ability to fight foreign invasion. (1)Immunosuppression may support the development of cancer. A weakened immune system is less able to eliminate cells that have suffered mutations and have the potential to develop into cancer cells. In addition, immunosuppressant therapies may have direct cancer causing consequences.(7)
Drugs used to treat other illnesses
Thiopurines, a class of drugs used to treat inflammatory diseases (i.e. Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel syndrome)and some forms of cancer, has been shown to increase risk for the development of non-melanoma skin cancers.(6)
Personal & Family History
Survivors of skin cancer have an increased risk of developing a secondary cancer.(1) The greatest risk for relapse is within the first five years following treatment. This heightened risk may be a result of a biological predisposition, previous exposure to skin cancer risks or a consequence of the initial cancer treatment itself.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is often used in the medical field in the treatment of primary cancers. Irradiation of primary tumors often exposes normal skin to increased levels of radiation and may lead to the development of secondary cancers, including skin cancer. The cancers arise due to mutations within skin cells caused by high doses of radiation. (4)
Chemical Exposure
Chronic exposure to arsenic, industrial tar and paraffin may increase one's risk of developing skin cancer.(5)
Serious injury
In some instances, skin cancer development is associated with serious injury or inflammation.(5) Malignant growths that arise at sites of previous serious/chronic wounds such as burns and pressure ulcers are termed Marjolin ulcers.(8)
Miller AJ, Mihm MC Jr. "Melanoma." New England Journal of Medicine. 2006 Jul 6;355(1):51-65. [PUBMED]
Rager EL, Bridgeford EP, Ollila DW. "Cutaneous melanoma: update on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment." American Family Physician. 2005 Jul 15;72(2):269-76. [PUBMED]
Rubin AI, Chen EH, Ratner D. "Basal-cell carcinoma." New England Journal of Medicine. 2005 Nov 24;353(21):2262-9. [PUBMED]
Ron E. "Cancer risks from medical radiation." Health Physics. 2003 Jul;85(1):47-59. [PUBMED]
Lopez MM, Valenzuela JE, et al. "Long-term problems related to immunosuppression." Transplant Immunology. 2006 Dec;17(1):31-5. Epub 2006 Sep 26. [PUBMED]
Esther RJ, Lamps L, Schwartz HS. "Marjolin ulcers: secondary carcinomas in chronic wounds." Journal of the Southern Orthopaedic Association. 1999 Fall;8(3):181-7. [PUBMED]
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