Does My Skin Type Affect My Risk of Skin Cancer?

Yes, your skin type can affect your risk of developing skin cancer — but no skin type is completely protected.

Doctors commonly describe skin type using the Fitzpatrick scale, ranging from Type I (very fair skin that burns easily and rarely tans) to Type VI (deeply pigmented skin).

People with Fitzpatrick skin types I and II have a particularly high risk of sun-related skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Their skin contains less protective melanin and is more vulnerable to damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

People with very fair skin, freckles and naturally red hair are particularly susceptible to UV damage. Red hair is commonly associated with a form of melanin called pheomelanin, which provides less natural protection against UV radiation than darker eumelanin. This is one reason people with red hair and very fair skin have a substantially increased risk of skin cancer.

However, having darker skin does not mean that you cannot develop skin cancer.

What About Melanoma?

Melanoma can occur in every skin type, from the fairest to the darkest.

In people with darker skin, melanoma may also develop in places that receive very little sun exposure. An important example is acral lentiginous melanoma, which can occur on the palms, soles of the feet, between the toes or underneath the nails.

In fact, acral melanoma accounts for a considerably larger proportion of melanomas diagnosed in people with darker skin compared with fair-skinned populations.

This means that everyone should pay attention to new or changing spots — regardless of their natural skin colour.

The Bottom Line

Your skin type helps determine your level of risk, particularly for UV-related BCC and SCC, but it does not provide complete protection from skin cancer.

In Australia, where UV exposure is particularly high, knowing your individual risk, protecting your skin from excessive UV exposure and having suspicious or changing lesions assessed early remain important — whatever your skin type.

Dr Colin McTari

Skin Doctor, Brisbane

Fellowship of Dermatology (FAAD)