Risks and causes of skin cancer

A history of sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. The risk is especially high if you were sunburnt several times during your childhood. People who work outside such as farm workers, gardeners and building site workers are also at an increased risk of non melanoma skin cancer.

Skin cancer is more common in people with white skin. This is because they have less of the protective pigment called melanin. People with black skin are less likely to get skin cancer but can still get it. 

People with black skin are at risk of developing a type of melanoma skin cancer called acral lentiginous melanoma. This can occur on the soles of feet, palms of hands and nail beds.

Albinism is an inherited genetic condition where the skin makes no melanin at all. People with albinism have very white skin and pale blonde hair. They're at higher than average risk of skin cancer. This is because their skin has no natural protection against the sun.

Sunbeds produce ultraviolet light which damages the skin. Research has shown that using a sunbed causes melanoma. There is now evidence to say that sunbeds might increase the risk of non melanoma skin cancer.

Solar keratosis is also called actinic keratosis. It's caused by many years of sun exposure. Small rough, scaly and red patches of skin develop, often on the face, hands or scalp (if you are bald). People at higher risk of developing solar keratosis include those who work outdoors, are fair skinned, have red or blonde hair and who burn easily. 

Solar keratosis is a sign that your skin has already been damaged and you should take extra care to cover up in the sun. Over time it can turn into a squamous cell skin cancer, but this does not happen in everyone.

Solar keratosis can be treated with cryosurgery, chemotherapy creams, retinoids or photodynamic therapy.

This is a very rare inherited genetic skin condition. It is usually there at birth, but it can appear during the teen years. Your skin cannot repair damage from the sun if you have this condition. You should avoid all sun exposure and other sources of UV light. People with this condition often get skin cancers on exposed skin.

Psoriasis is not a risk factor in itself. Some treatments for psoriasis, such as psoralen ultraviolet light treatment (PUVA), increase your risk as they use ultraviolet light. The exposure is carefully monitored and it's good for your psoriasis. Your doctor carefully balances the benefits and risks of these treatments.

One of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis. It might be treated with ultraviolet light treatment and a drug called methoxsalen (a type of psoralen), which increases the risk of non melanoma skin cancer. The condition itself might increase the risk of skin cancer, but this needs to be researched further.