When it comes to skin cancer, we often think it is caused due to excessive exposure to sunlight, which contains harmful UV radiation. While this is one of the predominant causes of skin cancer, you must understand that it can be triggered by unexpected factors you might have never considered.
You might not even know that these causes lead to skin cancer and may be astonished. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding certain habits will surely help you prevent the disease. In this blog, you will get to know some causes of skin cancer that you might have never even suspected. You can contact comprehensive dermatology to cure any kind of skin disease, including skin cancer!
Some causes of skin cancer you probably did not know.
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Viral Infections
Yes, you read it right! Viruses can contribute to the development of skin cancer. The human papillomavirus (HPV), which is mainly known for causing cervical cancer, can also be a risk factor for skin cancer. Also, the Merkel cell polyomavirus, which you might not have heard of before, has been identified to cause a rare form of skin cancer that can be pretty aggressive too. Ensure you are properly vaccinated and visit the doctor if you feel something is wrong.
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Traveling a lot by flight
According to a study conducted in 2014, pilots and flight attendants are twice as likely to contract skin cancer than normal people. Do not get scared! If you fly rarely, you absolutely have nothing to worry about. It is just that the UV rays are 15% more intense at the height airplanes fly, thus the statistics. If you are a frequent traveler through flight, you can get broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF factor of at least 30 and use it before flying.
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Indoor Tanning Beds
While it is no surprise that outdoor tanning is known to increase the risk of skin cancer, indoor tanning beds are something you might not have expected to see in this list! Despite their popularity, these beds emit concentrated UV radiation that can be up to 15 times stronger than the sunlight. Ensure you do not use tanning beds frequently to reduce the risk of skin cancer!
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Having a fair and light skin
It is common knowledge that being dark-skinned means having more melanin in your skin. It helps in protecting you against UV rays, thus reducing the risk of skin cancer. Naturally, people with pale skin are more susceptible to damage from UV rays.
