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What Is Skin Cancer?1,2,3,4
Skin Cancer is a disease in which cells in the skin grow out of control. Normally, as skin cells grow old and die, new cells form to replace them, but sometimes this process does not work as it should and the cells can grow quickly and uncontrollably. Most cases of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. 1 in 5
Americans develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Anyone can get skin cancer, but some people have a higher risk.
The skin is the body's largest organ and has several layers. The two main layers are the epidermis (upper or outer layer) and the dermis (lower or inner layer). Skin cancer begins in the epidermis, which is made up of three kinds of cells:
- Squamous cells which are thin, flat cells that form the top layer of the epidermis.
- Basal cells which are round cells under the squamous cells.
- Melanocytes which are cells that make melanin and are found in the lower part of the epidermis.
Basal and squamous cell carcinomas are the two most common types
of skin cancer. Melanoma is the third most common type of skin
cancer and causes the most deaths because it can spread to other
parts of the body like the brain and liver. If skin cancer is caught early,
your dermatologist can treat it with little to no scarring and there's
a greater chance of getting rid of the cancer entirely.
What Are Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer?4,5
The most common warning signs of skin cancer are changes on your skin like a new growth or a change in an existing growth or mole. Symptoms include:
- A new mole or a mole that changes in size, shape/color, or that bleeds.
- A pearly or waxy bump on your face, ears, or neck.
- A flat, pink/red or brown-colored patch or bump.
- Areas on your skin that look like scars.
- Sores that look crusty, have a depression in the middle or bleed often.
- A wound or sore that won't heal, or that heals but comes back again.
- A rough, scaly lesion that might itch, bleed and become crusty.
What Are Risk Factors for Skin Cancer?6,7
- Ultraviolet (UV) light exposure is a major risk for most melanomas and sunlight is the main source of UV rays. Tanning beds and sun lamps are also sources of UV rays. UV rays are the
main cause of the damaging effects of the sun on the skin. UV rays damages the DNA inside
skin cells that can then affect the genes that control skin cell growth. - Individuals with the following physical characteristics are at a greater risk:
- A lighter natural skin color.
- Skin that burns, freckles, reddens easily, or becomes painful in the sun.
- Blue or green eyes.
- Blond or red hair.
- Certain types and a large number of moles. Most moles will not cause any issues, but
someone who has many moles is more likely to develop melanoma. - A family history of skin cancer. Your risk of melanoma is higher if one or more of your first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, children) have had melanoma. Around 1 in 10
people with melanoma have a family history of it. This can be because of a shared
lifestyle of frequent sun exposure, lighter tone complexion, gene changes that run
in the family, or a combination of all these factors. - A personal history of skin cancer. A person who has already had melanoma has a higher
risk of getting it again. For people who have had several melanomas or got it at a young age,
health care providers may advise getting genetic counseling and testing to see if they have
a gene mutation that increases your risk.
- Age. The risk of melanoma increases as you get older, but it can still develop in younger
people. Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in people younger than 30 years. - Having a weakened immune system. Your immune system helps your body fight off
illnesses like cancer on the skin or other organs. People that have weakened immune
systems are more likely to develop skin cancer. - Sex at birth. In the United States, men are more likely than women to get melanoma.
However, before the age of 50, the risk is higher for women;
after the age of 50, the risk is higher for men.
How Can You Lower Your Risk of Skin Cancer?8,9
- Practice sun safety. Protection from UV rays is important year-round and not just in the summer. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days and can reflect off surfaces like
water, cement, sand, and snow. UV rays are strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Avoid indoor tanning. Indoor tanning exposes you to higher levels of UV rays and over time
with too much exposure it can lead to skin cancer, cataracts, and cancers in the eye. - Wear sun-protective clothing. Wear something lightweight and a long-sleeve shirt, pants,
and a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection. You could also look for clothing that is specially sold with UV protection factor (UPF). - Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- Wear sunscreen whenever you are going to be outside, even on a cloudy day.
- Most adults need at minimum of 1 ounce of sunscreen to fully cover all exposed
skin. Depending on your body size you may need more sunscreen to protect
your exposed skin. - Don't forget to apply to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, and the top of your
head. - Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Consider using a self-tanning product. If you want to keep the tanned-look, continue to use sunscreen with the self-tanning product.
- Perform regular skin self-exams. To detect skin cancer early, do regular self-exams. See a dermatologist if you notice any new or suspicious spots on your skin.
What Are the Harms of Tanning?10,11
Did you know that there is no such thing as a safe tan? The increase in melanin, which causes the tan color change in your skin, is a sign of damage. When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces more melanin in an attempt to protect your skin from more damage. In fact, the extra melanin in tanned skin only has an SPF of about 2 to 4 which is far below the recommended SPF of 30 or higher.
Indoor tanning is also dangerous and is not a safe alternative to sunlight. Indoor tanning leads to a 75% increased risk of developing life-threatening melanoma if you start using indoor tanning beds before the age of 35.
Tanning greatly increases your risk of developing skin cancer and it does not protect your skin from sunburns or other skin damage. Tanning can cause
- premature aging,
- skin cancer,
- actinic or solar keratoses,
- photokeratitis (sunburn of the cornea), or
- cataracts (clouding of the natural lens of the eye).
There are two phases of a sunburns: the immediate and the delayed. Immediate sunburn causes the skin to turn a slight pink color. This is the first warning sign that your skin is getting too much UV exposure. Delayed sunburn has deeper and more severe damage. Due to the depth of the damage, you sometimes don't see the burn until hours later. Severe sunburns can cause enough inflammation that can make you feel sick and nauseous.
Effective October 1, 2019, it is
unlawful for tanning facilities to allow minors under the age of 18 years to use a tanning device, which includes sunlamps, tanning booths, or tanning beds (Chapter 441, 2019 Legislative Session). This does not apply to the therapeutic use of a tanning device when prescribed by a health care provider.
For More Information
2025 Skin Cancer Education and Outreach Resource Guide
National Environmental Education Foundation: SunWise (Toolkit for educators)
CDC: Skin Cancer
CDC: Travelers’ Health: Sun Exposure
CDC: Guidelines for School Programs to Prevent Skin Cancer
EPA: Facts About Skin Cancer Maryland
EPA: Sun Safety
Skin Cancer Fact Sheet for Patients and Caregivers
Skin Cancer Tests and Procedures
Skin Cancer Treatments
Questions To Ask About Skin Cancer
Living with Skin Cancer
How to Spot Skin Cancer
FAQs About Sun Safety
Practice Safe Sun
Say Yes to Sun Protection
SPOTme Screening Editable Flyer
Sources
1. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. (2024, Jul 1). Skin Cancer Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/about/index.html
2. Skin Cancer Foundation (2024, Feb). Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/
3. Skin Cancer Foundation. (2025, Jan). Skin Cancer 101. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/
4. Cleveland Clinic. (2023, May 3). Skin Cancer. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15818-skin-cancer
5. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. (2024, Jul 1). Symptoms of Skin Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/symptoms/index.html
6. Centers for Disease and Control Prevention. (2024, Jul 1). Skin Cancer Risk Factors. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/risk-factors/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
7. American Cancer Society. (2023, Oct 27). Risk Factors for Melanoma Skin Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/melanoma-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
8. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. (2024, Jul 1). Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer. https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/prevention/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm
9. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2025, Jan 31). How To Prevent Skin Cancer. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/how
10. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023, May 16). The Risk of Tanning. https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/tanning/risks-tanning
11. Skin Cancer Foundation. (2025, Apr). Tanning & Your Skin. https://www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/tanning/#vitamin-d
Last updated on 7/15/2025
