All skin types can develop skin cancer and should take appropriate steps to protect their skin and check it regularly for the early warning signs. However, there are many factors that place individuals at greater risk - the following information provides the rationale behind these factors to help you understand your personal level of risk.
Whist skin cancer can strike at any time and poses a risk to all individuals, those at greater risk of developing the disease generally fall into one or more of the following categories. The more categories an individual falls into the greater their risk.
People with fair skin tones are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. This is because they have less of the protective pigment called melanin. When unprotected skin is exposed to the sun, melanin causes the skin to darken, it acts as a physical barrier that scatters harmful UV rays, and as an absorbent filter that reduces the penetration of UV through the epidermis. This is why people with fairer skin are more susceptible to burning and sun damage, thereby increasing the risk of skin cancer. For more information go to: Skin Types and Skin Cancer
Although most moles are pretty normal and shouldn’t always cause concern, having more than 50 common moles (normal looking moles) on your body puts you at greater risk of skin cancer. In fact, the more moles we have, the greater our risk. Melanoma often appears as a new mole (around 70%) but it can also develop in existing moles that change in shape, size and/or colour. If you have a lot of moles on your body, it is really important to conduct monthly full-body skin examinations, keep track of any changes and seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare provider with any concerns. For information on how to detect the early warning signs go to: Melanoma Skin Cancer
Having one or more atypical (unusual looking) moles (also known as dysplastic nevus) and/or large moles (bigger than a pencils eraser) puts you at greater risk of melanoma. Though benign and typically do not turn into skin cancer, they often possess features that are suggestive of melanoma, such as colour variations and irregular borders. For this reason they are extremely worthy of your special attention. Anyone with any abnormal looking moles should consult their GP or dermatologist to make sure they are not dangerous, should closely monitor them (at least once a month) for any signs of change and seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare provider with any changes to size, shape, colour, surface characteristics or sensation. For advice on how to perform a thorough full-body skin examination go to: How to Check Your Skin
People who naturally have lots of freckles and freckle due to UV exposure are at increased risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma in later life. This is because freckles often appear on fair-toned skin, and those with lighter complexions. Whilst freckles are mostly harmless, it’s extremely important to keep a close eye on them for signs of change in the same way you should with any other moles or marks on your skin. Freckles can turn darker pretty quickly with only small amounts of UV exposure which is a sign of sun damage and should act as a reminder to protect your skin, check it at least once a month for signs of change and seek immediate advice from a qualified healthcare provider with any concerns.
A history of sunburn is strongly linked to the development of skin cancer. Even a single sunburn can increase a person’s risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. This is because when the skin absorbs UV radiation, it can damage the genetic material in the skin cells, causing them to mutate, grow out-of-control and develop tumours. Sunburn is bad news at any age, but the risk of skin cancer increases for those who have suffered sunburn in childhood or adolesence. Even one blistering sunburn as a child or teenager more than doubles your chances of developing the disease. Young skin is very delicate and highly susceptible to sun damage. Damage from UV exposure is cumulative – it builds up over time, so the more often you burn, the greater your risk. For more information go to: Sunburn and Tanning
No matter how your skin responds to the sun (even if you tan easily, rather than burn), tan seekers are at increased risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Every time our skin changes colour due to UV exposure it is a sign of sun damage. When our body produces melanin (the natural pigment that determines our natural skin colour and deepens when we tan) it is a visual warning sign that our skin is working hard to defend itself from UV radiation. The more often we tan, the greater our risk. For more information go to: Understanding UV Radiation
Sunbed use at any age significantly increases a person’s risk of developing both non-melanoma skin cancer and melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer). The risks are even greater when exposure takes place at a younger age. First exposure to sun beds before the age of 35 increases the risk of melanoma by an alarming 75%. Sunbeds emit the same harmful UV radiation as the sun, but at much greater intensities. As with exposure to solar UV radiation, damage is cumulative and irreparable – the more often you use a sunbed, the greater your risk. For more information on sunbeds go to: Sunbeds and Skin Cancer
Frequent, prolonged periods of time spent outdoors (without adequate protection) places outdoor workers in one of the highest risk groups for the development of skin cancer. Due to cumulative sun exposure outdoor workers have a 43% higher risk of basal cell carcinoma and 77% higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma. They are also twice as likely to develop melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) in comparison to indoor workers. The vast majority of outdoor workers are male and men are more commonly diagnosed with skin cancer and more likely to die from the disease. To learn more about our national accreditation programme for employers of outdoor workers, go to: Sun Safe Workplaces
Frequent, prolonged periods of time spent outdoors (without adequate protection), whether for leisure, sport (particularly lengthy sports like golf for example) or hobbies (such as gardening) increases the life-time risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. Sun damage is cumulative and builds up over time so repeated, long-term exposure places individuals at greater risk. For practical advice to help you protect your skin an reduce your risk, go to: Skin Cancer Prevention
Those that live, have lived or regularly holiday in a hotter climate where UV levels are stronger are at increased risk of skin cancer due to their history of sun exposure. The more time a person spends or has spent outdoors subject to greater intensities of solar UV radiation, the greater their risk of cumulative and/or intense sun damage and risk of developing both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
A family history of melanoma does not mean that all other family members will develop the disease, however, it does place them at greater risk. The risk varies based on the degree of relation between the family member and the person diagnosed with melanoma, but around 10% of patients with melanoma are reported to have some family history. If you have hereditary risk factors as well as many atypical moles, your risk of developing melanoma is even higher. This combination of family history and having many unusual moles is often referred to as Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma syndrome (FAMMM). Anyone with a family history of melanoma should be extra vigilant when checking their skin and seek immediate advice from their healthcare practitioner with any concerns. For advice and images to help you detect the early warning signs, go to: Melanoma Skin Cancer
Whilst the vast majority (around 90%) of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are caused by exposure to UV radiation, several hereditary syndromes and genes are also associated with an increased risk of developing these cancers. Anyone with a family history should check their skin regularly for the early warning signs and seek professional advice from a qualified practitioner with any concerns. People who have already had a non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are at a very high risk of developing further NMSC and are also at greater risk of developing melanoma in the future. If you have been previously diagnosed with NMSC, you should be under a regular screening programme with a dermatologist. For information on how to detect the early warning signs, go to: Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
There are other factors that can also place individuals at greater risk of skin cancer, such as sun protection habits, exposure to certain chemicals in the workplace and those with medical conditions. To learn more about your individual level risk – install the Skcin app and conduct a personal risk assessment using the risk assessor tool. By answering a series of specific multiple choice questions based on the various factors that increase an individuals risk of skin cancer, the tool enables users to retain a personalised assessment with detailed rationale and advice relating to these factors.
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We have a unique, innovative and multi-channel approach to combatting skin cancer, delivering robust, targeted solutions that are accessible to all. Our comprehensive range of resources and suite of five, bespoke accreditation programmes that target both high risk and influential public & private sectors are generating significant impact nationwide.
We have a unique, innovative and multi-channel approach to combatting skin cancer, delivering robust, targeted solutions that are accessible to all. Our comprehensive range of resources and suite of five, bespoke accreditation programmes that target both high risk and influential public & private sectors are generating significant impact nationwide.
