Skin Cancer Facts

What Is Skin Cancer?

Skin is an elastic organ. Its main functions include protecting internal organs, controlling body temperature, shielding the body from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and helping the body make vitamin D. Skin cancer develops when abnormal cells in the skin’s layers grow and form tumors.

The most common types of skin cancer — basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas — tend to appear on areas of the body exposed to the sun, such as the face, neck, ears and hands. However, it can appear anywhere on the body from head to toe.

Because this disease affects the skin, it’s often visible early, which may make it easier to detect and treat before it grows or spreads. Detecting skin cancer early can lead to a cure rate that approaches over 99%.

What Causes Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer is caused by DNA damage to skin cells. In most cases, this damage is caused by prolonged exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds.

Do Tattoos Cause Skin Cancer?

Trauma to the skin can lead to skin cancer, and tattooing is considered a form of trauma that does increase the risk of forming skin cancer in the area. A more significant concern is whether tattoos may make it hard to screen the skin for spots or moles that may be cancerous.

Do Sunburns Cause Skin Cancer?

Getting sunburned repeatedly raises the risk for developing skin cancer. People who get five or more sunburns have twice the risk for developing melanoma.

When UV rays damage the skin, those skin cells need time to heal. If the skin gets burned again before those cells fully heal, it may lead to cancer.