What are the major risk factors for developing skin cancer?

What are the major risk factors for developing skin cancer?

Harry Saperstein, MD, FAAD (Dermatologist, Clinical Assoc. Professor, Medicine, Private Practice and UCLA) gives expert video advice on: How effective is sun block?; How much sun block should I use and how often should I use it to protect my skin?; Why is it important to keep a close watch on atypical moles? and more...

The major risk factor for developing skin cancer, primarily for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, is ultraviolet exposure. Ultraviolet exposure, probably for basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, can account for 90-95% of all skin cancers. In order for ultraviolet exposure to have some effect, however, on the skin, the skin has to be susceptible. We grade skin based on skin type, 1 through 6, with 1 being the most sensitive to sun, and 6 being the least sensitive. So, the more likely that the patient will have ultraviolet damages, the more likely they will have a lower skin type number. Redheads clearly are more susceptible to skin damage from ultraviolet than people of pigment. This is a major factor that we see in defining which groups get skin cancer. In addition, it would be the behavioural changes of those that get a lot of sun and those that are more careful in the sun. There are other factors, including familial factors and genetic factors, but they're far outweighed by the two issues that I just explained.