Sunburn and skin cancer: What's the link?

The two most common causes of skin cancer are the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and UV tanning beds. These can affect the DNA in your cells, making them grow out of control, which causes the cancer to form. Sunburn means your skin has received too much UV light, which further increases the risk of cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology states that skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States as of 2022. Avoiding sunburn by using prevention methods, such as sunscreen and covering up, can help reduce your chances of developing it.

What’s the link?

Sun exposure is one of the major causes of the three main kinds of skin cancer. These are:

• squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
• basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
• melanoma

SCC and BCC are the most common forms of skin cancer, but melanoma is more likely to spread faster. It’s considered more dangerous and is responsible for most deaths related to skin cancer, although it is more rare.

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can cause skin cancer — mainly UVA and UVB. UV rays from the sun or sunbeds can damage the DNA in skin cells. If enough DNA damage builds up over time, it can cause cells to start growing out of control, which can lead to skin cancer.

The use of tanning beds can also cause skin cancer. Research across several European countries shows that using tanning beds increases the risk of developing melanoma.

One case of sunburn doesn’t necessarily cause skin cancer to form immediately. But repeated sunburns throughout a lifetime increase the risk, and the damage can build up over time. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, five or more sunburns can more than double the risk of melanoma.

It’s important to note that even without sunburn, sun exposure raises skin cancer risk.

Identifying skin cancer

Identifying skin cancer is important so that a healthcare professional can treat it as soon as possible. Research shows that if melanoma is detected early enough, it is curable in 90% of cases. Knowing what to look out for can help you receive the care you need as quickly as possible.

The most common sign that you might have developed skin cancer is a change in your skin, like developing a new mole or a mole changing shape or size. Moles can appear anywhere on your body but are common in places most exposed to the sun. These include the scalp, face, ears, neck, and shoulders.

The main signs of each kind of cancer can vary depending on the type. For example, the main symptoms of BCC might include:

• a shiny or pearly bump on the skin
• an open sore that won’t heal
• an irritated area on the skin
• an area that looks like a scar

SCC might cause:

• thick, scaly patches that may become crusty or bleed
• wart-like growths that bleed
• open sores that don’t heal
• growths with raised edges that are lower in the center

A common indication of melanoma is a brown mole-like patch that may be itchy and change size, shape, or color. The ABCDE method helps identify a possible melanoma:

• A: Asymmetry. Are the sides of the mole different from one another?
• B: Border. Irregular borders are common in melanomas.
• C: Color. The color of the mole might be inconsistent, or it could have different colors throughout.
• D: Diameter. Melanomas are often (but not always) over 6 millimeters in diameter.
• E: Evolving. A key identifying aspect of melanomas is that they change in appearance.

If you notice changes in a mole, you should speak with a medical professional as soon as possible.

Prevention

It’s possible to prevent sunburn, and prevention methods can help reduce the risk of developing some skin cancers. Examples of typical preventive methods include:

• using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30+
• covering your skin while in the sun, for example, wearing a hat and long sleeves
• not using tanning beds
• seeking shade when you’re outdoors, especially when the sun is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.)

It’s important to remember that up to 80% of UV rays can still affect you on a cloudy day. So make sure you’re cautious even if it isn’t sunny outside.

A 2018 study found that sun protection behaviors, like not spending too much time in the sun, were associated with a decreased risk of sunburn. It also confirmed that people more sensitive to the sun were more likely to burn.

Generally, people with lighter skin are more likely to sunburn than people with darker skin tones. This is because the melanin present in darker skin helps block the UV rays. However, skin cancer can affect anyone, and prevention measures are important even if you have a dark skin tone. People with darker skin can still sunburn.

Treatment

If you do develop skin cancer, many treatment options are available. The most common include:

• Surgery: Surgery is considered the most effective way to treat skin cancer. A doctor will remove the cancerous tumor with this method.
• Radiation therapy: Healthcare professionals may use radiation in addition to or instead of surgery to target the cancer cells and destroy them.
• Topical chemotherapy: Though less common, doctors may prescribe a chemotherapy lotion (such as 5-fluorouracil) for BCC or SCC if it’s in the top layer of your skin.
• Immunotherapy: Immunomodulators, such as imiquimod, have been used to treat the three common skin cancer types. They help your immune system fight the cancer cells. Healthcare professionals may also use immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab and nivolumab.

The treatment used will depend on the individual case, so speaking with a healthcare professional can help you to choose a treatment plan that works for you.

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Summary

Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays causes skin cancer. Sunburn from spending too much time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer, and damage may build up over time.

However, taking steps to prevent sunburn can help lower your risk. This includes using sunscreen, wearing a hat and long sleeves, and avoiding the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

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