Skin Cancer: These 10 Risk Factors Should Make You Very Vigilant

During an awareness week, dermatologists listed the different possible origins of skin cancers.

1/ Exposure to the sun

There are many causes of skin cancer, but the main one is excessive exposure to the sun.

2/ Sunburns received during childhood

A history of sunburn due to excessive and prolonged exposure during childhood can lead to skin cancer.

3/ People with light phototypes

People with light skin, eyes and hair who have difficulty tanning are at greater risk of developing skin cancer, as are those who sunburn easily.

4/ Family history

The risk of melanoma skin cancer is increased two to three times if a first-degree relative (father, mother, brother or sister) has already suffered from this disease.

5/ Personal background

Having had skin cancer before increases your risk of getting the disease again.

6/ The number of moles

Having a high number of moles (i.e. more than 50) can increase your risk of skin cancer.

7/ Immunocompromised people

Due to their health conditions, they are more sensitive to UV rays and therefore more likely to develop skin cancer.

8/ Tanning booths

People who use tanning beds early in life and regularly tend to increase the risk of developing skin carcinomas.

9/ Tobacco

It promotes the appearance of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas of the lip.

10/ X-rays

Anyone who has had radiotherapy should have their skin monitored, as it increases the risk of developing carcinomas.

Skin cancer: “prevention is essential”

17,922 new cases of skin cancer were detected last year in our territory (+2% per year of new cases between 2010 and 2023). In France, the median age of this diagnosis is 68 years for men and 62 years for women.

“In 80% of cases, melanoma occurs spontaneously on healthy skin and in 20% of cases, melanoma develops from an old mole,” noted the SNDV (National Union of Dermatologists – Venereologists).

“Cutaneous melanomas diagnosed at a metastatic stage have a poor prognosis. They are therefore the most dangerous skin cancers because they are likely to spread to other organs and lead to fatal consequences,” continue the specialists. “Acting quickly is therefore vital, which is why prevention and early diagnosis are essential,” conclude the dermatologists.

Among skin cancers, it is mainly necessary to distinguish between cancers of epithelial origin (basal cell carcinoma/squamous cell carcinoma) and melanomas.