Non melanoma skin cancer
This page is about risks factors for non melanoma skin cancer. Melanoma skin cancer has different risks and causes.
Find information about the risks and causes of melanoma skin cancer
Anything that can increase your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor.
Different cancers have different risk factors. Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you will definitely get that cancer.
The older you are, the more likely you are to develop non melanoma skin cancer. But skin cancers can develop in younger people too.
light is the main environmental factor that increases the risk of non melanoma skin cancer. It's also called ultraviolet radiation. UV light comes from sunbeds or the sun.
Most skin cancers are caused by exposure to the sun. This may be long term exposure, or short periods of intense sun exposure and burning. The ultraviolet light in sunlight damages the DNA in the skin cells. This damage can happen years before a cancer develops.
People who work outside such as farm workers, gardeners and building site workers are at an increased risk of non melanoma skin cancer.
and are two common types of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Sunbeds produce ultraviolet light which damages the skin. Research has shown that using a sunbed causes melanoma. There is now evidence to suggest that using sunbeds increases your risk of SCC and BCC.
Studies have shown that a history of sunburn can increase your risk of BCC. This risk applies to sunburn at any age, not just during childhood.
Read about how to enjoy the sun safely
Your skin type and colour affect your risk of developing skin cancer. If you tend to burn in the sun and have pale skin, you're more at risk.
People who have white skin, especially those with fair or red hair, are more at risk of developing skin cancer. So are people with lots of freckles. This is because they have less of the protective pigment called melanin.
People with black or brown skin are less likely to get skin cancer, but can still get it.
Albinism is an inherited genetic condition where the skin makes no melanin at all. People with albinism have very white skin and pale blonde hair. They're at higher than average risk of skin cancer. This is because their skin has no natural protection against the sun.
People who have already had a skin cancer have a greater risk of getting another one, compared to someone who hasn't had one. Researchers think this is most likely because of sun exposure. You should cover up in the sun and look out for any signs of another skin cancer.
Although there is an increased risk, this doesn’t mean that you will definitely develop another skin cancer.
Most non melanoma skin cancers don't run in families. But some risk factors which increase the risk of developing skin cancer do run in families. For example, fair skin and freckles.
Research has found some families seem to have a higher number of skin cancers than normal.
You have an increased risk of developing a SCC if one of your parents has had a SCC. People who have a family history of melanoma have an increased risk of developing a BCC.
People with certain skin conditions can be more likely to develop skin cancer. These include:
Solar keratosis is also called . Over time it can turn into a SCC but this does not happen to everyone.
It’s caused by many years of sun exposure. Small rough, scaly and red patches of skin develop, often on the face, hands or scalp if you are bald. People at higher risk of developing solar keratosis include those who:
work outdoors
are fair skinned
have red or blonde hair
burn easily
Solar keratosis is a sign that your skin has already been damaged. You should take extra care to cover up in the sun.
Treatment for solar keratosis includes , chemotherapy creams, , laser treatment or . Laser treatment and photodynamic therapy are only available at certain hospitals.
This is a very rare inherited genetic skin condition. It is usually there at birth, but it can appear during the teen years. Your skin cannot repair damage from the sun if you have this condition. You should avoid all sun exposure and other sources of UV light. People with this condition often get skin cancers on exposed skin.
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition. You can't catch it from another person. Studies have found that people with psoriasis are more likely to develop SCC and BCC than the general population.
Psoriasis may not be a risk factor in itself. Some treatments for psoriasis, such as psoralen ultraviolet light treatment (PUVA), increase your risk as they use ultraviolet light.
Your doctor carefully monitors the exposure and it's a good treatment for psoriasis. They carefully balance the benefits and risks of these treatments.
One of the most common types of eczema is atopic dermatitis (AD). Treatment might be ultraviolet light treatment and a drug called methoxsalen. This treatment increases the risk of developing non melanoma skin cancer. If you have AD, this might increase your risk of skin cancer, but this needs to be researched further.
Gorlin syndrome is a very rare inherited genetic condition which causes many BCCs to develop. It is also called naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome.
Gorlin syndrome can appear in a family with no past history of the condition because of a random . But this is unusual.
Read more about Gorlin syndrome
You are more at risk of developing a non melanoma skin cancer in an area where you have had treatment. You should keep the area covered and use high factor sun cream.
You also have a slightly increased risk of non melanoma skin cancer if you have been exposed to radiation through your job.
Research has shown that some medical conditions increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
Your protects the body against illness and infection. Some people with weakened immunity are more likely to develop skin cancer. Studies show this is the case for people who:
have or infection
are taking medicines to suppress their immune system (immunosuppressants) after an
Your GP, pharmacist or the specialist looking after you will tell you if you are taking any of these medicines. National guidelines recommend transplant patients have yearly check ups with a skin specialist. They can teach you about skin cancer and tell you how to look for symptoms.
Inflammatory bowel disease includes illnesses like and . The risk of skin cancer is higher in people with these diseases.
Treatment for IBD can weaken the immune system. Researchers are not sure whether people with IBD have a higher risk of skin cancer because of the condition itself. Or because of the medicines that weaken the immune system.
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a common virus that has several different strains.
Epidermodysplasia verruciformis is a rare inherited condition which means your body can’t fight off HPV. It causes warts and scaly patches on your skin. People with this condition have a higher risk of getting SCC.
Bowen's disease is a very early form of skin cancer. Rarely, it can develop in the genital area. Research into this condition has shown that infection with HPV can increase the risk of developing Bowen’s disease.
Some occupations and working with particular chemicals can increase your risk of skin cancer.
The following increase your risk:
coal tar
soot
mineral oils
shale oils
The following may increase your risk:
creosotes
nitrogen mustard
petroleum refining
We have more detailed information for health professionals about non melanoma skin cancer risks and causes.
Get statistics on non melanoma skin cancer
Stories about possible cancer causes are often in the media and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You may have heard of something that isn’t included here. This is because we only include a risk factor in this information if it is supported by good quality evidence.
Find out about common cancer myths and questions on the causes of cancer
There are ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.
Last reviewed: 06 May 2026
Next review due: 06 May 2029
Symptoms of skin cancer can include: a sore that doesn't heal, an area of skin that looks unusual, red, itchy, bleeds or scabs for more than 4 weeks.
See what different types of skin cancers might look like.
The 2 main types of non melanoma skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
The main test to diagnose skin cancer is to take a sample (biopsy) of the area. There are different types of biopsy.
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell skin cancer, squamous cell skin cancer and other rare types.
Non melanoma skin cancer includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and other rare types. They tend to develop most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun.
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