The short answer is: everyone! That said, some individuals are at higher risk of developing skin cancer than others and some are at higher risk of dying from skin cancer than others (and they might not be who you think!)
Let’s take a closer look at the facts about skin cancer risk.
Who is most at risk of developing skin cancer?
Light-skinned people. People with a naturally lighter skin tone are more at risk of developing skin cancer because they produce less melanin (the natural skin pigment that protects against sun exposure and gives skin its color). If you have a light skin tone or if your skin burns or freckles easily in the sun, your skin cancer risk goes up. People with blue or green eyes or blond or red hair also fall into this category.
Large number of moles. Most moles will never pose a problem over your lifetime, but individuals with more moles have a greater chance of developing melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. We encourage everyone to check their moles regularly for the ABCs of Melanoma, to report any new moles or changes to your dermatologist, and to get skin checks annually.
Personal or family history of skin cancer. If you’ve been previously diagnosed with any type of skin cancer (i.e. basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma), your risk of developing additional skin cancers goes up. Also, if you have a family history of melanoma, your risk increases. In fact, about 10% of all people who develop melanoma have a first-degree family history of the disease (parent, sibling or child previously diagnosed).
UV exposure. Ultraviolet rays, specifically UVB rays, are considered the greatest cause of skin cancer. Their wavelength allows them to penetrate deeply into layers of the skin, damaging the DNA inside skin cells. When this damage affects skin cell growth, skin cancer occurs. If you spend a lot of time in the sun for work or leisure, especially if you live in a sunny climate or have a history of blistering sunburns, your risk is elevated. (In fact, a study by researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that women who had had five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 were 80% more likely to develop melanoma than women who had not had any blistering sunburns.) Additionally, if you use (or have used) tanning beds, your exposure to ultraviolet radiation and therefore your risk of skin cancer is increased. The American Academy of Dermatology states, “Just one indoor tanning session can increase the risk of developing skin cancer (melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67%, and basal cell carcinoma by 29%).”
Older age. The longer your skin has been around, the greater your chance of developing skin cancer, probably due to cumulative sun exposure. According to the American Cancer Society, the average age of a melanoma diagnosis is 65. That said, more and more skin cancers are being diagnosed in younger people. If melanoma runs in your family, you are at risk of developing it at an even younger age.
Less common risk factors for skin cancer
On top of the most common risk factors mentioned above, there are a handful of more rare situations where skin cancer risk is elevated.
- Radiation treatment. Particularly for children who have received radiation therapy for cancer, the area that was irradiated is more likely to develop basal or squamous cell carcinomas.
- Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). This rare, inherited medical condition affects the ability of skin cells to repair DNA damage, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
- Chemical exposure. Exposure to large amounts of arsenic (found in pesticide manufacturing), paraffin, coal tar, and some petroleum products has been associated with an increased risk of skin cancer.
- Weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems due to illness or medications are also at higher risk of developing skin cancer, and of having the disease progress more quickly.
- HPV infection. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with skin cancers in certain areas, including the genitals, anal area and the skin around the fingernails.
Gender, Race and Skin Cancer
Men get melanoma more often overall than women, but more women under 50 are diagnosed than men. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2020:
- approximately 100,000 new melanomas will be diagnosed (about 60,000 in men and 40,000 in women).
- approximately 6,800 people will die of melanoma (about 4,600 men and 2,200 women).
Melanoma is 20 times more common in white people than in the African-American population, but darker-skinned people are often diagnosed later, when the disease is more advanced and therefore dangerous. The American Academy of Dermatology has published a video specifically for people of color about skin cancer risk.
The American Cancer Society has more skin cancer statistics here.
Who is at risk for skin cancer? To repeat our short answer… everyone, but some more than others. The best way to protect yourself is to cover up from the sun, use sunscreen, do skin checks at home, and have a professional skin check annually or as often as your dermatologist recommends. If you are concerned about your skin cancer risk, our board certified dermatologists can help. Book a skin cancer screening today.
