Skin cancer is a multifactorial disease; several factors may contribute to its development. The most common factors that are linked to the onset of skin cancer include:
- Age – risk of skin cancer increases with age
- exposure to ultraviolet light
- family history of skin cancer
- personal history of skin cancer
- excessive sun exposure
- previous radiotherapy
- exposure to chemicals that irritate or attack your skin cells
- history of sunburn
- having many benign moles (dysplastic nevi)
- chronic precancerous skin lesions such as rough and scaly patches
- weakened immune system
- certain professions such as welder and boilermakers
- outdoor workers: farmers, construction workers, etc..
- prolonged exposure to environmental chemicals such as herbicides
- some genetic diseases of the skin: albinism, xeroderma pigmentosa, etc..
- Living at high altitudes or near the South Pole – the highest incidence of melanoma is found in Australia and New Zealand.