Who is most at risk?
Some people are more likely than others to develop skin cancer. These people tend to have one or more of the following:
- fair skin that burns easily
- lots of moles or freckles
- a history of sunburn
- red or fair hair
- light-coloured eyes
- a personal or family history of skin cancer.
If you have one or more of the above characteristics then it’s a good idea to:
- take steps to avoid getting caught out by sunburn. Use shade, clothing and SPF15+ sunscreen to protect yourself.
- keep an eye out for changes to your skin and report these to your doctor without delay. Skin cancer is much easier to treat if it is found early.
What if I take lots of holidays?
We know that occasionally getting high doses of UV rays is particularly damaging to your skin, and can increase your risk of malignant melanoma.
This is why melanoma is most common on parts of the body that aren’t normally exposed to the sun.
So, whether at home or abroad, you can protect your skin by covering up and seeking shade when the sun is at its strongest.
Are children at risk?
Babies and children need extra protection from the sun because their skin is delicate and easily damaged.
You will not see the damage immediately because skin cancer can take years to develop. But children who are exposed to too much sun now are storing up problems for the future.
Sunburns during childhood can dramatically increase the risk of skin cancer later on in life.
What if I have naturally brown or black skin?
Those of us with naturally brown or black skin have more melanin pigment in our skin cells. This helps protect the skin from damaging UV rays. So if you have naturally brown or black skin you are much less likely to develop skin cancer.
However, skin cancer can still affect people with brown or black skin. It is most common on parts of the body that aren’t often exposed to the sun such as the soles of the feet.
Reducing your risk
Being SunSmart can greatly reduce your risk of skin cancer. Find out how in our Advice and prevention section.
