Cancer Center

Other Causes and Risk Factors For Skin Cancer

What does tanning do to the skin?

Tanning is the skin's response to ultraviolet (UV) light - a protective reaction to prevent further injury to the skin from the sun. However, tanning does not prevent skin cancer.

What are risk factors for skin cancer?

The following are possible risk factors for skin cancer:

What is a risk factor?

A risk factor is anything that may increase a person''s chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including cancers, have different risk factors.

Although these factors can increase a person''s risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others develop disease and have no known risk factors.

But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.

heredity
People with a family history of skin cancer are generally at a higher risk of developing the disease. People with fair skin and a northern European heritage appear to be most susceptible.

environment
Due to a reduction of ozone in the earth''s atmosphere, the level of UV light today is higher than it was 50 or 100 years ago. Ozone serves as a filter to screen out and reduce the amount of UV light that we are exposed to. With less atmospheric ozone, a higher level of UV light reaches the earth''s surface.

Other factors that contribute to skin cancer:

multiple nevi (moles) or atypical moles

exposure to coal and arsenic compounds

elevation
Ultraviolet light is stronger as elevation increases (because the thinner atmosphere at higher altitudes cannot filter UV as effectively as it does at sea level).

latitude
The rays of the sun are strongest near the equator.

repeated exposure to x-rays

scars from disease and burns

immune suppression, such as in persons who have had organ transplants

repeated unprotected exposure to the sun with or without sunburn

Skin Cancer Programs at Rush

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offers more than a dozen programs specializing in the treatment of specific cancers, including skin cancer. Screening, early detection and prevention are priorities at Rush. Dermatologists, medical oncologists and surgeons examine patients for early signs of malignancy or premalignant lesions. Rush offers comprehensive care for skin cancer with state-of-the-art treatment and surgical options.

Click below to learn about specific skin cancer programs at Rush:

Finding a specialist at Rush:

To find a dermatologist at Rush click here.

Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:

(888) 352-RUSH.

To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).