DEFINITION
Skin cancer is the most common of
SKIN CANCER
By: A
PREVALENCE
BCC is the most common skin cancer in
Caucasians whereas SCC is the most common in
darker skin. Asians are less susceptible to skin
cancers. African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics,
although less susceptible than Caucasians are
susceptible to melanoma (The Skin Cancer
Foundation, 2015d). Asian Americans and African
Americans tend to present with more advanced
disease at diagnosis than do Caucasians. The
Foundations also note that African Americans, Asians,
Filipinos, Indonesians, and native Hawaiians develop
melanomas on nonexposed skin with less
pigmentation, such as on palms, soles, mucous
membranes, and nail regions.
cancers. It occurs in three types: melanoma,
basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC). BCC and SCC are
nonmelanomas. Precursor lesions occur for
some melanomas (benign or dysplastic nevi)
and for invasive SCC (actinic keratoses or SCC
in situ), but there are no precursor lesions for
BCC.
RISK FACTORS
 Sun exposure, especially intermittent
pattern with sunburn risk increases if
excessive sun exposure and sunburns began
in childhood. Intermittent exposure to the
sun or UVR is associated with greatest risk
for melanoma and for BCC, but overall
amount of exposure is thought to be
associated with SCC. SCC is most common
on body sites with very heavy sun exposure,
whereas BCC is most common on sites with
moderate exposure (e.g, upper trunk or
women's lower legs)
 Nonsolar sources of UVR (tanning booth,
 Fair skin that burns and freckles easily; light
sunlamps, high-UV geographical areas). Indoor
hair; light eyes
tanning has been shown to raise the risk of
 Age; risk increases with increasing age
developing melanoma by 74% (The Skin
 Actinic keratoses
Cancer Foundation, 2015c)
 Male gender (for nonmelanoma cancers),
 Medical therapies such as PUVA and ionizing
especially white men over 50
radiation
 Chemical exposure (arsenic, tar, coal,
 Family or personal history and genetic
paraffin, some oils for nonmelanoma cancers)
susceptibility (especially for malignant
 Human papillomavirus (nonmelanoma
melanoma)
cancers)
 Moles, especially atypical lesions
 Xeroderma pigmentosum (rare, inherited
 Pigmentation irregularities (albinism, burn
condition)
scars)

 Long-term skin inflammation or injury
(nonmelanoma)
 Alcohol intake (BCC); smoking (SCC)
 Inadequate niacin (vitamin B3) in diet
 Bowen disease (scaly or thickened patch)
(SCC)
 Depressed immune system
METHODS OF PREVENTION
 Reduce sun exposure; seek shade.
 Always use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when
sun exposure is anticipated.
 Wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed
hats.
 Wear sunglasses that wrap around.
 Avoid sunburns
 Understand the link between sun exposure and
skin cancer and the accumulating effects of sun
exposure on developing cancers.
 Examine the skin for suspected lesions. If there is
anything unusual, seek professional advice as
soon as possible
 Ensure that diet is adequate in vitamin B3 (M.D.
Anderson Cancer Center, 2015)