Skin Cancer, Melanoma

A risk factor for melanoma is something that increases your chance of getting this cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors can make it more likely that you will get melanoma. But it doesn't mean that you will definitely get it. And many people who get melanoma don't have any of these risk factors.

Risk factors for melanoma include:^{Reference 1}

• Too much exposure to the Reference sun's UV rays Opens New Window. This includes:
  • Having had blistering sunburns at any time of life.
  • Getting intense sun exposure every now and then.
• Fair skin that doesn't tan and tends to sunburn or freckle, along with blue or green eyes or red or blond hair.
• Numerous moles and/or more than one Reference atypical mole.
• A large mole you have had since birth.
• A personal or family history of melanoma.
• Changes in your genes, like the change that causes a skin disease called Reference Xeroderma pigmentosum Opens New Window.

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