Skin Cancer

The number one risk factor is exposure to the sun. Other risk factors include:

• Skin treatments that constantly irritate the skin
• Sun lamps that burn the skin (for those who are fair skinned or light complexioned this risk factor is doubled)
• A history of moles or skin irritations or areas irritated by clothing called skin tags
• Scars from severe burns and scars from sores that do not seem to heal
• A family history of skin cancer

Watch for any tumor or lumps under the skin. Examine yourself regularly and note anything resembling a wart or an ulceration that does not seem to heal, moles that change color or size, or flat sores, or lesions that look like moles.