Causes and risk factors of skin cancer
On this page
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Skin cancer causes
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Skin cancer risk factors and sun exposure
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Your skin type
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Tanning beds and sunlamps
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Age
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Previous skin cancers
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Bowen’s disease
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Actinic keratosis (AK)
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Radiotherapy treatment
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Lowered immunity
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Long-term scarring or skin changes
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Exposure to chemicals
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Genetic conditions
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Having lots of moles and unusual moles
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Family history of melanoma
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About our information
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How we can help
Skin cancer causes
Certain things can increase the chance of developing skin cancer. These are called risk factors. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will get skin cancer. And not having risk factors does not mean you will not develop it.
The biggest risk factor for skin cancer is exposure to ultraviolet light (UV light). This can be through sunlight or indoor tanning devices, such as sunbeds.
Staying safe in the sun is important for everyone, but it is especially important if you have already had skin cancer.
If you are worried about skin cancer and would like to talk to someone, we're here. If you would like to talk, you can:
- Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0808 808 0000.
- Chat to our specialists online.
- Visit our Online Community skin cancer forum to talk with people who have been affected by skin cancer and share your experience.
Skin cancer risk factors and sun exposure
UV light from the sun is the main cause of all types of skin cancers. It damages the genetic material (DNA) in our skin cells. Over time, this damage can cause skin cancer to develop.
The type of sun exposure a person has over their life may be linked to their risk of skin cancer:
- Melanoma skin cancers are linked to short periods of being exposed to strong sunshine, usually through sunbathing or holidays in hot countries.
- Non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are linked to long-term, ongoing sun exposure – for example, working outdoors for many years.
You have a higher risk of skin cancer if you live, or have lived, close to the equator or where UV exposure levels are higher. This includes places such as Australia and New Zealand.
Your skin type
If you have the type of skin that burns more easily, you are more at risk of skin cancer. You are more sensitive to the sun if you have:
- fair skin or freckles
- red or blonde hair
- green or blue eyes.
If you have black or brown skin, you have a lower risk of skin cancer because your skin produces more melanin. You can still get skin cancer, but it is less likely. You still need to protect your skin from the sun and check for anything unusual.
A type of melanoma called acral lentiginous melanoma is more common in people with black or brown skin. It starts in skin that is not usually exposed to sun, such as:
- on the palms of the hands
- on the soles of the feet
- under fingernails or toenails.
Tanning beds and sunlamps
Using indoor tanning devices such as sunbeds and sunlamps makes it more likely that you will develop skin cancer. Sunbeds and sunlamps use artificial UV rays that also damage the DNA in your skin.
Your risk of skin cancer increases the more you use a sunbed or sunlamp. It also increases if you were young when you started using them or have other risk factors, such as fair skin.
Age
The risk of skin cancer increases as you get older. This is because the cell damage that eventually causes skin cancer takes time to build up.
Previous skin cancers
The risk of skin cancer is higher if you have had it before. It could come back in the same place. This is called a local recurrence. Or it could develop somewhere else on the body.
Bowen’s disease
Bowen’s disease is a skin condition that may develop into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) if left untreated. Sometimes it is called squamous cell carcinoma in situ.
Researchers think that 3 out of every 100 people with Bowen’s disease (3%) might develop SCC over time. But for most people, Bowen’s disease is not a serious condition and can be treated effectively.
Actinic keratosis (AK)
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough or crusty skin growth caused by damage from exposure to UV light over time. It is also called solar keratosis.
AK mainly affects areas that are exposed to the sun, such as the:
- hands and forearms
- face, ears and scalp
- lower legs.
If left untreated, AK may develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Radiotherapy treatment
If you have had radiotherapy treatment, you may develop skin cancer later in life. It is more likely to develop in the area that received the treatment.
Lowered immunity
People who have a weakened immune system (immunosuppression ) have a higher risk of developing skin cancer. This includes people who have:
- had transplant surgery and now take drugs called immunosuppressants
- HIV
- some types of blood cancer, such as chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).
- an auto-immune condition, such as psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease.
If you take drugs that suppress your immune system, the benefit of taking them usually outweighs the risk of developing skin cancer. But it is important that you check your skin regularly. Tell your GP if you have any skin changes. And protect your skin from the sun.
Long-term scarring or skin changes
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is sometimes linked to areas of skin that have been damaged or inflamed for a long period of time. For example, this could be an area of skin that has healed from a burn. Or it could be skin inflammation from a condition such as lupus.
Exposure to chemicals
Another possible, rare cause of non-melanoma skin cancer is overexposure to certain chemicals, usually at a workplace. If you might be at risk from chemicals at your workplace, you should wear protective clothing and use protective equipment. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using chemicals at home.
Genetic conditions
A genetic condition is when someone inherits a faulty gene from their parents. If you inherit a faulty gene, it increases your risk of developing certain health problems. Although most skin cancers are not caused by genetic conditions, some rare conditions carry a higher risk. These include:
- Gorlin syndrome
- xeroderma pigmentosum (XP).
Having lots of moles and unusual moles
If you have lots of moles or unusual moles, you may have a higher risk of melanoma. We have more in our information about causes and risk factors of melanoma.
Family history of melanoma
The risk of developing melanoma skin cancer increases if you have a close relative who has had melanoma. A close relative (or first-degree relative) is your mother, father, sister, brother or child. This may be because you have a similar skin type. But about 1 in 10 melanomas (10%) are thought to be caused by genes that can run in families.
We have more in our information about causes and risk factors of melanoma.
About our information
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our skin cancer information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
Keohane SG, Botting J, Budny PG, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma 2020. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;184(3): 401–414. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.19621 [accessed May 2024].
Nasr I, McGrath EJ, Harwood CA, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of adults with basal cell carcinoma 2021. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2021;185(5): 899–920. Available from www.doi.org/10.1111/bjd.20524 [accessed May 2024].
Sharma A, Birnie AJ, Bordea C, et al. British Association of Dermatologists guidelines for the management of people with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen disease) 2022. The British Journal of Dermatology. 2023;188(2): 186–194. Available from: www.doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljac042 [accessed May 2024].
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Reviewers
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer. It has been approved by Senior Medical Editor, Professor Samra Turajlic, Consultant Medical Oncologist.
With thanks to: Dr Stephanie Arnold, Consultant; Kerry Jane Bate, Advanced Nurse Practitioner; Dr Philippa Closier, Clinical Oncologist; Sharon Cowell-Smith, Macmillan Advanced Nurse Practitioner Skin Cancers; and Dr Benjamin Shum, Medical Oncologist.
Thanks also to the other professionals and people affected by cancer who reviewed this edition, and to those who shared their stories.
Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information.
The language we use
We want everyone affected by cancer to feel our information is written for them.
We want our information to be as clear as possible. To do this, we try to:
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We use gender-inclusive language and talk to our readers as ‘you’ so that everyone feels included. Where clinically necessary we use the terms ‘men’ and ‘women’ or ‘male’ and ‘female’. For example, we do so when talking about parts of the body or mentioning statistics or research about who is affected.
You can read more about how we produce our information here.
Date reviewed
Our cancer information meets the PIF TICK quality mark.
This means it is easy to use, up-to-date and based on the latest evidence. Learn more about how we produce our information.