Skin Cancer From Sun

Skin cancer from the sun - The fact that excessive exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer is now generally known. A good sun protection, tailored to your skin type, is therefore wise. But what to do when you have skin cancer? Can you still be in the sun?

With skin cancer in the sun

When you have skin cancer, you do not have to completely avoid the sun. Skin cancer is a signal that your skin in the past has been exposed to UV radiation more often and/or longer than is considered safe for your skin type. How long you can stay in the sun depends on your skin type and the solar power. More information can be found here. For all people, the advice is to use a sun protection product that suits your skin type and sunbath sensibly. Make sure that your skin does not burn.

Different types of skin cancer

Skin cancer from sun, skin cancer is distinguished into different types.

Basal cell carcinoma is the most common but least malignant form and can almost always be cured. Excessive exposure to UV radiation in the past is the most important risk factor. In almost half of the people who have a basal cell carcinoma removed, one or more basal cell carcinomas will be discovered again within five years, in a different place.

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common form of skin cancer. This form usually occurs in places where the skin has ever been burnt by the sun. If the treatment fails too long, the tumor can affect the subcutaneous tissues and the chance of metastasis to, for example, the lymph nodes increases.



A melanoma is created in the pigment cells of the skin. Heredity, many moles and a skin type with little natural protection against sunlight are the most important risk factors, in combination with sunburn, especially at childhood. A melanoma is a malignant tumor with a fairly high chance of metastasis. Melanomas are the least common form of skin cancer. People who have a melanoma are more likely to develop a second melanoma in the following years.

Are skin cancers worsening?

An important question is whether a relatively innocent form of skin cancer can change into an aggressive form. That is not the case. The different types of skin cancer do not merge. It is unclear whether patients who have a certain type of skin cancer also have a greater chance of developing a different type of skin cancer. It is known, however, that in patients who have been diagnosed with skin cancer, the chance of discovering the same type of skin cancer at a different location is greater in the years thereafter. Someone with skin cancer, therefore, remains under the supervision of the dermatologist for some time.

Vitamin D

Sun protection products with a high protection factor would pose a risk for other cancers. This would be caused by a reduced production of vitamin D by the body. Vitamin D is indeed created under the influence of sunlight through your skin and has a number of important functions. In some cancers, including intestinal and breast cancer, a link has been found with a low vitamin D level in the blood. However, the link between the use of a high protection factor and an increased risk of other cancers has never been made directly.

*Image source : Wikimedia Commons

References :

1. National Cancer Institute
2. Leef.nl
3. American Cancer Society