Risk Factors for Skin Cancer

This is the third article in the Understanding Skin Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on May 14, 2026. 

Anything that increases your chance of developing cancer is called a risk factor. Sometimes, risk factors directly cause cancer. For example, UV radiation from the sun directly damages the DNA in skin cells. Most often, though, risk factors do not directly cause cancer on their own. Instead, many small changes over time lead to the genetic changes that cause cancer.

It is important to remember that having one or more risk factors for skin cancer does not guarantee you will develop skin cancer. It is also possible to develop skin cancer even if you do not have any known risk factors. Researchers are still learning how skin cancer develops.

What raises your risk for developing skin cancer?

• UV radiation exposure. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight is the leading cause of most skin cancers. Both UVA and UVB rays can damage the DNA in skin cells. Tanning beds and sunlamps are also significant sources of UV radiation and are strongly linked to skin cancer risk, particularly melanoma.
• History of sunburns. Having had one or more blistering sunburns, especially during childhood or adolescence, significantly increases the risk of melanoma and other skin cancers later in life.
• Cumulative sun exposure. People who spend a lot of time in the sun over their lifetime, due to outdoor work or recreation, have a higher risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma.
• Fair skin and light features. People with lighter skin, hair, and eye color have less melanin (protective pigment) in their skin and are more susceptible to UV damage. However, skin cancer can develop in people of all skin tones.
• History of skin cancer. Having had skin cancer once increases the risk of developing it again. This is true both for the same type of cancer and for other types.
• Family history. Having a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had melanoma increases your risk, particularly if they were diagnosed at a younger age.
• Hereditary conditions. Certain inherited gene mutations significantly increase skin cancer risk:
  • Familial atypical mole and melanoma (FAMM) syndrome: associated with CDKN2A mutations and a high lifetime risk of melanoma
  • Xeroderma pigmentosum: a rare inherited condition that severely impairs the skin's ability to repair UV-damaged DNA
  • Gorlin syndrome (basal cell nevus syndrome): an inherited condition associated with multiple basal cell carcinomas
• Many moles or atypical moles. Having a large number of moles (more than 50) or having atypical (dysplastic) moles increases the risk of melanoma.
• Weakened immune system. People with weakened immune systems, due to HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, or certain medications, have a higher risk of developing skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma.
• Exposure to certain substances. Exposure to radiation (such as from prior radiation therapy), arsenic, or certain industrial chemicals increases the risk of skin cancer.
• Age. The risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma increases with age, reflecting cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime. However, melanoma is one of the more common cancers in younger adults.
• Sex. Men are more likely than women to develop basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma, though the gap has been narrowing in younger age groups.
• Geographic location and altitude. People who live in sunny climates or at high altitudes are exposed to more UV radiation and have a higher risk of skin cancer.
• Race and ethnicity. White individuals have a significantly higher rate of skin cancer than people with darker skin tones. However, people of color are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, partly because skin cancer may be overlooked in non-sun-exposed areas such as the palms, soles, under the nails, or inside the mouth.