Anyone can get skin cancer, but certain groups of people are more likely to than others because they have more skin cancer risk factors. While risk factors don’t cause cancer, the more risk factors you have, the higher your chance of developing skin cancer.
You can’t always eliminate risk factors, but you can mitigate the danger. At Warrenton Dermatology & Skin Therapy Center in Warrenton, Virginia, Dr. Juan-Carlos Caballero can advise you on your risk factors for skin cancer and help you find ways to reduce them.
Overall, the biggest risk for skin cancer is associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can damage the DNA of your skin cells, heavily increasing your risk for skin cancer.
People who are most at risk include::
If you have fair skin, and especially if you fall into one of the following categories, you have a risk factor for skin cancer:
Spend a lot of time in the sun? You have a risk factor for skin cancer if any of the following apply to you:
Dark-colored growths on your skin, called moles, are often no cause for alarm. However, if you have a proliferation of moles, it could be a sign that you have a risk factor for skin cancer, especially if:
If someone in your family had skin cancer, you may be more at risk for getting it yourself. Your risk also goes up for developing it again if you’ve already had it once. If you or one of the following has had skin cancer, you should get regular screenings:
A weak immune system makes you more vulnerable to diseases like skin cancer, and your risk goes up if you have:
If you have one or more risk factors, regular skin checks done by a dermatologist can help spot any early signs of cancer. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Caballero, call 540-212-7081, or contact us using our online booking system.
