Risk Factors:  Squamous Cell Carcinoma

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

	Frequent exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, and/or sunlamps over many years
	Pale white skin, especially when the person also has red or blond hair and blue, green, or gray eyes
	Sun sensitive, or tendency to burn or freckle rather than tan
	Personal or family history of squamous cell carcinoma
	Chronic skin ulcers
	Actinic keratoses (These lesions have the potential to progress to squamous cell carcinoma.)
	Overexposure or long-term exposure to X-rays (or any other ionizing radiation)
	History of exposure to arsenic, coal, industrial tar, or paraffin
	Long-term treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, such as those used to prevent organ rejection
	Weakened immune system; conditions that weaken the immune system include lymphoma and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
	Tobacco use
	Received psoralen + ultraviolet light A (PUVA) therapy for treatment of psoriasis
	Xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare inherited condition that makes one less able to repair damage caused by sunlight

Additionally, certain risk factors make squamous cell carcinoma more likely to spread:

	Weakened immune system
	Location on the body: It is more likely to spread, when the tumor is located on a lip, ear, the scalp, or within a scar that developed after a burn
	Tumor was treated and has recurred

An educational program brought to you by the American Academy of Dermatology.