How Skin Cancer Can Affect All Skin Types
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and it can affect you whether you have light, medium, or the darkest skin tones.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. While fair skin tones are most at risk for sunburns and skin cancer, we are all exposed to UV rays, which puts us all at risk for developing skin cancer, no matter our skin tone. Yes, even those who tan easily and never burn can develop skin cancer.
What Are the Skin Cancer Causes?
The most common cause of skin cancer is too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation—primarily from the sun, but also from tanning beds. While your skin is designed to protect you, prolonged UV exposure can, over time, damage the DNA in your skin cells.
When this damage happens, your body usually works to repair it. But sometimes, those repairs aren’t perfect. Over time, these small changes can build up, causing skin cells to grow and divide in ways they shouldn’t. Instead of behaving normally, these damaged cells can multiply uncontrollably, which is how skin cancer develops.
It’s important to know that this process often happens gradually, which is why protecting your skin early and consistently makes such a big difference.
What Is Your Skin Type, And Why Is It Important To Know?
We use the Fitzpatrick scale to assess your risk of skin cancer based on your skin type. It rates two things: the amount of pigment in your skin and how your skin reacts to the sun. It can also indicate how likely you are to develop skin cancer.
Knowing your skin type is crucial for skin cancer prevention. Not sure what your skin type is? Take the Fitzpatrick Skin Type quiz here.
What Are The Risk Factors Involved In People With Lighter Skin Developing Skin Cancer?
People with light skin are more susceptible to skin cancer because they have less melanin. Melanin is a pigment in your skin that helps to protect it from UV radiation damage. The less melanin someone has, the more likely they are to develop sun damage and skin cancer.
People with red hair, freckles, and/or blue eyes, for example, are especially vulnerable to UV radiation.
Can Dark Skin Get Skin Cancer?
Certain risk factors make people of color vulnerable to skin cancer. There is a common myth that people with naturally tanned or darker skin tones face less risk, leading them to be less likely to wear sunscreen or take other preventive measures to protect themselves.
Did you know that Bob Marley died at just 36 years old from skin cancer?
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, he had “acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM), a serious and rare disease that is also the most common form of melanoma in people with darker skin tones.”
Tips To Prevent Skin Cancer For People Of All Skin Types
Skin cancer rates among adults over 50 continue to rise in the US, and people of all skin colors can still develop skin cancer. However, here are simple ways you can reduce your risk of getting skin cancer:
- Sunscreen: Regardless of skin color, everyone should apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher to all exposed skin areas. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day.
- Clothing: Wear protective clothing, such as wide-brimmed hats and long-sleeved shirts, to shield your skin from harmful rays. Clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) is specifically designed to protect the skin from the sun.
- Sunglasses: Wear wraparound sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Shade: Stay under the shade as much as you can when you’re outside, particularly in the midday hours when the sun is shining the brightest.
- Avoid indoor tanning: Using tanning beds or sunlamps exposes the skin to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Over time, this exposure can lead to high skin cancer risk and other complications, like severe burns.
Take the Next Step: Schedule a Skin Cancer Screening Today
Early detection of skin cancer is key to starting treatment for the best outcomes. Our dermatology providers perform regular exams on all skin tones to detect skin cancer and develop a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs.
If you’re ready to schedule your personalized skin cancer screening exam, contact a location near you to schedule your appointment today. With the right personalized treatment plan, you can benefit from many more years of good health and great skin.
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