Title: Skin Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment | US News
Headings: A Patient's Guide to Skin Cancer
A Patient's Guide to Skin Cancer
Types
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Melanoma
Signs and Symptoms
Causes and Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Health Care Providers That Treat Skin Cancer
Prevention
Screening
Diets
Related Articles

Content: We know that the two most common skin cancers are directly related to amount of sun exposure received over a lifetime," says Dr. Cameron Rokhsar, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Exposure to ultraviolet light – a form of radiation present in sunlight – has been linked to a higher incidence of skin cancer because UV radiation can damage genes in skin cells, leading them to turn cancerous. As such, where you live can be a contributing factor to the development of skin cancer. Places that are sunnier and warmer tend to have higher rates of skin cancer than colder climes where people tend to be bundled up more. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention reports that "the risk of skin cancer is twice as high in Arizona compared to Minnesota ... Spending a lot of time outdoors without covering your skin and using sunscreen increases your risk." The use of tanning beds has also been linked to increased rates of skin cancer, so skip the scorch for better skin health. Exposure to other forms of radiation can also increase your risk, along with exposure to certain chemicals, such as arsenic and some pesticides. Smoking is another habit linked with an increased risk of skin cancer. As with most other types of cancer, age is also a risk factor: The longer your cells have to develop genetic mutations, the more likely they will turn cancerous.