The 8 Risk Factors for Skin Cancer, and Why You Don't Need Any of Them to Get Checked
There are eight recognised factors that increase a person's risk of developing skin cancer, according to Cancer Australia. Knowing them doesn't predict whether you'll develop skin cancer, and not having any of them doesn't rule it out either, but understanding where you sit is a useful starting point.
Genetics and skin type
Fair skin that burns or freckles easily, blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes are all associated with higher risk, largely because lighter skin has less natural protection from UV damage. A personal or family history of skin cancer or unusual moles matters too, as does having a large number of moles, or moles that look different from the others on your skin.
Sun exposure history
Unprotected exposure to UV radiation, whether from the sun or a tanning bed, is the single biggest driver of skin cancer risk. A history of sunburns that caused blistering, particularly in childhood, is specifically linked to higher risk later in life, which is why sun protection habits formed early matter well beyond the summer they happened in.
Lifestyle and age
Working outdoors or simply spending a lot of time outside over the years adds up. Age is also a factor, Cancer Australia notes melanoma is most likely to occur in older people, though it remains one of the most common cancers diagnosed in Australians aged 20 to 39.
You don't need to tick every box
Cancer Council Australia categorises skin cancer risk into average, increased, and high risk, a distinction used by GPs and skin cancer doctors to guide how often someone should be checked. But that categorisation exists to guide frequency, not to gatekeep who's allowed to book. A skin check is a proactive health measure for any adult, and skin cancer can develop in people who have taken care of themselves and covered up throughout their lives.
At SkinGP Woodend, a Full Skin Check is available to any adult, regardless of how many risk factors apply to you. No referral is required, and you can book directly via our website. SkinGP provides full skin checks for patients across the Macedon Ranges and Central Victoria, including Woodend, Kyneton, Gisborne, Lancefield, Romsey, Sunbury, Daylesford, and Castlemaine.
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