causes

Skin cancer develops due to multiple factors that damage skin cell DNA. While UV exposure is the primary cause, various genetic and environmental elements contribute to its development. Understanding these causes is vital for prevention and early detection.

UV Radiation Exposure
Prolonged sun exposure and tanning beds emit harmful UV rays that mutate skin cell DNA. This damage accumulates over time, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and cancerous changes.

Genetic Predisposition
Certain inherited conditions like xeroderma pigmentosum increase vulnerability. Family history of melanoma also raises risk significantly, suggesting genetic components in skin cancer development.

Weakened Immune System
Immunosuppressed individuals (from medications or conditions like HIV) have reduced ability to detect and destroy abnormal cells, allowing cancers to develop more easily.

Environmental Carcinogens
Exposure to arsenic, industrial chemicals, or radiation can damage skin cells. Certain occupations with chemical exposure may increase risk for specific skin cancer types.

Skin Type and Features
Fair skin with light eyes/hair has less protective melanin. Having numerous moles or atypical moles also increases melanoma risk substantially.

Professional Treatments

Mohs Surgery precisely removes skin cancer layer by layer while preserving healthy tissue, offering the highest cure rates for basal and squamous cell carcinomas.

Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy precancerous lesions and some early-stage skin cancers through controlled cell destruction.

Excisional Surgery completely cuts out cancerous growths along with surrounding margins of healthy skin, ensuring complete tumor removal.

Photodynamic Therapy combines light-activated drugs with laser treatment to target and eliminate abnormal cells while minimizing damage to healthy skin.

Immunotherapy boosts the body’s natural defenses to recognize and attack melanoma cells, using advanced biologic medications for advanced cases.