Too much exposure to the sun causes most skin cancers. The ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun cause DNA damage in skin cells. This usually happens where the skin has received the most sun, including the face, back of the hands, and arms.

Skin cancer increases with age and lifetime sun exposure.

Contact with certain chemicals or taking medications that limit a person’s immune system can increase the risk of getting skin cancer.

Risk Factors

The following risk factors may increase your chance of developing skin cancer:

• Having a light skin color or
• Red or blond hair
• Long-term sun exposure and having severe sunburns in childhood
• Increased age
• Exposure to some chemicals or radiation
• Having a weakened immune system
• Having certain types of abnormal skin growths, such as actinic keratoses (rough, red scaly patches)
• Cigarette smoking
• Having a family history of skin cancer
• Tanning booths or the use of tanning lamps
• Wounds or scars that will not heal

Last Updated May 2023