Melanoma Risk Factors and Prevention

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Risk factors are things that raise your chances of getting a disease. For each person, there’s a mix of lifestyle, biological and genetic factors that play a part in melanoma risk.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) through sunlight or tanning beds, more than anything else, increases the risk of getting melanoma. Another risk factor is having light skin. Anyone can get melanoma, but the risk is higher than average in people who have lighter skin and if their hair is red or blonde. People with darker skin are at lower risk because they have more melanin, which provides some protection. But people with any skin tone can get melanoma.

Take Charge of Your Health

Talk to your primary care provider if you have questions or concerns about your skin or you have noticed an abnormality. UW Medicine Primary Care can help you get started with screening. Learn about Fred Hutch's relationship with UW Medicine.

Examine Your Own Skin

Examine your own skin, once a month, from head to toe, to better understand what moles or skin markings may be changing over time. Here are some things to consider and ways to check your skin:

  • Get familiar with your own moles, freckles and other markings on your skin
  • Consider using a smartphone to take pictures of your skin markings each month, so you can keep records and see if they are changing
  • Some areas of your body may be difficult or impossible for you to see, like your lower back or your scalp. Ask your spouse, partner or a good friend to help you.

It’s important to continue checking your skin for changes even after you have receive treatment for melanoma. This is because:

  • If you have had melanoma, you have an increased risk of getting another melanoma
  • It is uncommon, but melanoma can come back after treatment

Lifestyle Risk Factors for Melanoma 

Lifestyle risk factors are ones you have the potential to change (unlike biological and genetic factors) that put you at risk for melanoma. That means you can play a role in preventing melanoma. Here are some of the steps you can take to lower your risk of melanoma:

  • Protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen
  • Protect your skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing
  • Do not use tanning beds

Tanning Beds and Melanoma

Despite the fact that indoor tanning bed use has been linked to skin cancer, including melanoma, many people continue to use them. How are tanning beds linked to skin cancer? “Tanning booths increase your risk of melanoma a ridiculous amount because they use really unnatural levels of UV light that you’re never exposed to in nature,” said Sylvia Lee, MD, a Fred Hutch medical oncologist who treats melanoma and other skin cancers. Learn more about tanning beds and skin cancer.

Melanoma Prevention with Children

If you have children or teenagers, or care for them, you can play a part in helping prevent them from getting melanoma. “Even one severe sunburn, especially in childhood or adolescence, can more than double your risk of melanoma,” said Fred Hutch dermatologist Song Park, MD, who treats patients with melanoma. Read about skin cancer prevention strategies.

Genetic and Biological Risk Factors for Melanoma

Some of the risk factors for melanoma are things you can't change. But it’s still important to be aware of them so you can be proactive and notice changes to your skin as early as possible when issues are easier to treat.

The following factors may affect your risk for melanoma.

Family History

You are at increased risk if you have family members with a history of melanoma (especially if multiple relatives had it), pancreatic cancer, astrocytoma (a form of brain cancer), uveal melanoma (involving the eye) or mesothelioma.

Moles

A mole (nevus) is a benign (noncancerous) collection of pigment cells. Scientists are still debating whether a mole can turn into cancer, or if melanoma grows in a mole or next to it.

Regardless of the answer, check your body regularly for changing moles or other possible warning signs of skin cancer.

Dysplastic (Atypical) Nevi

These types of moles develop from childhood through adulthood and often run in families. They tend to be larger than typical moles and often contain multiple colors like light brown, dark brown and pink. Lifetime melanoma risk is higher in people with dysplastic nevi.

Melanoma Risk Factors and Prevention FAQ

Melanoma is primarily caused by DNA damage to skin cells, which most often results from exposure to UV radiation. This damage causes the cells to grow out of control. While UV exposure is the biggest risk factor, your risk can also be influenced by other factors, including a family history of melanoma or having fair skin.

No. A tan, whether you get it from the sun or in a tanning bed, is a sign of skin damage. When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, it produces more pigment (melanin) as a defense against the damage. This damage increases your risk of developing skin cancer, including melanoma.

While it is true that your body produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun's rays, you only need a very small amount of sun exposure for this — just a few minutes on your arms and legs on most days. A safer and more reliable way to get vitamin D is through the foods you eat. Many foods, such as fatty fish like salmon or tuna, fortified milk and cereals are good sources. If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, talk to your primary care provider.

Do not use tanning beds, protect yourself from the sun when you’re outside and try staying in the shade when you are able to. Sun protection includes wearing:

  • Sunscreen
  • Wide-brimmed hats
  • UPF 50 sun protective clothing
  • Sunglasses