Risk Factors:  Basal Cell Carcinoma

Anyone can develop basal cell carcinoma; however, the following increases one’s risk of developing this cancer:

	A history of sun exposure
	Fair, white skin, especially when the person has blond or red hair and blue, green, or gray eyes
	Sun sensitive, or tendency to burn or freckle rather than tan
	Previous case of basal cell carcinoma (The chance of a second occurrence is 40%.)
	Close blood relative diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma
	Weakened immune system; conditions that weaken the immune system include lymphoma, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and long-term treatment with medications used to prevent organ rejection.
	Received ionizing radiation treatments, such as X-rays (Basal cell carcinoma may appear 15-20 years after exposure.)
	History of exposure to arsenic, coal, industrial tar, or paraffin
	Basal cell nevus syndrome, also known as Gorlin’s syndrome, is a rare inherited disorder characterized by a number of abnormalities, including multiple basal cell carcinomas, small pits on the palms and soles, and jaw cysts.
	Xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare inherited condition that makes one less able to repair damage caused by sunlight.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology