What Causes Skin Cancer?
UV radiation from the sun is the main reason that people get skin cancer. Energy from the sun actually is a form of radiation. UV rays damage DNA or the genes which control the growth and health of skin cells.
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There are two kinds of UV rays: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB).
When genetic damage is severe, a normal skin cell may begin to grow in the uncontrolled, disorderly way of cancer cells. UV rays also causes sunburn, and other damage that makes the skin look prematurely old and wrinkled.
Scientists once thought that excessive exposure to UVB rays was the main cause of skin cancer. However, now they think UVA is a concern also which is why it's important to use a sunscreen product and sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
Sometimes skin cancer may be hereditary and run in families. In these scenarios, skin cancer is caused by abnormal genes that children inherit from parents. Not only do genes make families look alike but they also make them get the same diseases.
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Skin Cancer Risk Factors
People with the following characteristics have the highest risk for melanoma:
- Fair complexions that burn or blister easily
- Blond or red hair
- Blue, green or gray eyes
- Excessive sun exposure during childhood and teen years, blistering and sunburns before age 18
- Family history of melanoma
- More than 100 moles; 50 moles, if you are under age 20
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