Certain factors may increase the chance of developing melanoma. Although you cannot control some risk factors, such as your eye or skin color, you can take steps to help lower others, such as limiting sun exposure.
Risk factors for melanoma include:
- Skin, hair and eye color. Although anyone can get melanoma, people who have pale or freckled skin, red or blond hair, or green, blue, or gray eyes have a higher risk.
- Sun exposure. This risk is higher if you live closer to the equator or at higher altitudes. Limiting your time in the sun and protecting your skin can lower your chances of melanoma and many types of skin cancer.
- Using tanning booths and sunlamps.
- Having unusual moles
- Family history or a personal history of melanoma
- History of frequent sunburns (especially blistering sunburns)
- Having many moles (more than 50)
- Having a weakened immune system.
Learn more about risk factors for melanoma.
Prevention
You can take steps to prevent melanoma by limiting your exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, which come from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds.
Follow these tips to reduce your exposure to UV rays:
- Don’t use sunlamps or tanning beds.
- Limit your sun exposure when UV rays are strongest, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. Choose a sunscreen labeled as “broad spectrum” with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 and apply it generously to all areas of your skin exposed to the sun. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
- Wear clothing that covers your skin and a hat to shade your face.
- Choose clothing that is sun protective, labeled as “UPF50+.”
- Wear sunglasses that are labeled “100% UVA/UVB protection.”
Learn more about skin cancer prevention.
Melanoma Risk and Prevention Clinic
The Melanoma Risk and Prevention Clinic offers expert care for people at high risk for melanoma or with a history of early-stage melanoma. Our team helps with early detection, diagnosis, and follow-up, and connects patients to cancer specialists if needed.
