Common risk factors for skin cancer:

• Light skin, or skin that burns, freckles, or reddens easily
• Large number of moles
• Blue or green eyes
• Blond or red hair
• Personal or family history of skin cancer
• Sun exposure
• History of sunburns, especially in early life
• History of indoor tanning
• the average tanning bed gives of 2 to 10 times more UVA radiation than the sun 
• Using tanning beds before the age of 35 increases a person's risk for developing melanoma by 75 per cent

Skin cancer in people of color:

Even if you have a darker skin tone, always tan, or rarely burn, you can still get skin cancer. No matter your skin tone, UV radiation can lead to skin damage, premature aging, and hyperpigmentation. Protecting your skin is important!

• Even if you have a darker skin tone, always tan or rarely burn, you can still get skin cancer
• Skin cancer is often diagnosed later in people of color, making it harder to treat 
• Melanoma in people of color most often occurs on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, under the nail (subungual) and in the nail areas 
• The estimated five-year melanoma survival rate for Black patients is only 70 per cent, versus 94 per cent for white patients