Anyone can develop skin cancer but risk is increased for people who:

- are exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during childhood and adolescence
- have repeated exposure to UVR over their lifetime
- have episodes of severe sunburn
- have a light complexion (red or fair hair; blue or green eyes; skin that burns easily)
- are older
- have or had a previous non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
- have a personal or family history of melanoma
- have a large number of moles
- have unusual types of moles (eg dysplastic naevus)
- are immunosuppressed (including organ transplant recipients)

Yes. Anyone can develop skin cancer regardless of whether or not their skin burns. Although people with fair skin are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer, people with tanned skin are also at risk of developing skin cancer if they do not protect their skin when going outdoors.

1. No. Any form of a tan which has been obtained from exposure to UVR (from natural or artificial sources) increases your chances of premature ageing and developing skin cancer. People with naturally tanned or darker skin have very limited protection to UVR (roughly equivalent to SPF2 sunscreen) and will still need to protect their skin when going outdoors. Fake tanning products do not offer protection against the risk of developing skin cancer. Some fake tanning products do contain sunscreen, but this will at most only offer protection for a few hours after application of the product.

No. People of all ages need to regularly check their skin for changes as skin cancer does not affect only old people. In fact, melanoma is the most common cancer for the 15-24 years old age group.