would i be at risk for skin cancer?

Question

i am a pale person and i can't tan... whenever i go out in the sun, i put on sunscreen... usually spf 45, at least... now i have spf 60, and i still burn... i put it on every hour like i'm supposed to but still manage to burn... i have gotten a second degree burn from the sun on the back of my neck and on my shoulders... both times i had spf 45 on... i always burn every summer... many times... am i a risk for skin cancer, and if so, how much of a risk...

Answer 1

yes you are at risk. A first degree burn is bad enough, but if you are getting 2nd degree, you are in the danger zone. You need to cut back the amount of time you are in the sun or wear light colored clothing to cover your skin. If you burn in 30 minutes, then try cutting your exposure time to 15 minutes. Be good to your skin before you get cancer.

Answer 2

EVERYONE is at risk for skin cancer. If you are pale, have had multiple sunburns in spite of using sunscreen you are more at risk than others. As for how much of a risk - no one knows, but be observant and see a doctor immediately if you notice anything unusual. Skin cancer is not just brown spots, etc. My pale husband who avoided the sun is suffering from an acute melanoma which began as two small dark grape-like bumps behind his ear, under his hair. All of his other growths have been flesh colored hard-pea sized lumps under the skin. He was a strong, healthy person with no history of skin cancer in his family, never burned because he did not go out in the sun often and wore sun skin all the time. Please take your health and skin care seriously. He has endured 7 surgeries between November and April and it has spread to his lungs, liver and lumbar area. He is undergoing radical chemo and life is not fun.

Answer 3

You are then very very fair, and yup, you are a supreme risk for skin cancer.... continue to use your sun screen, and even better, cover up, and stay out of the sun during the time of its greatest intensity 10-3.

How much risk? Almost a certainty if you are burning and out in it during these hours. Had a hs chum fair, blond that began having skin cancers at 23.

Answer 4

One bad burn increases your risk of skin cancer greatly, and someone without much protective melanin like yourself needs to be especially careful....also any family history of skin cancer increases your odds.
Protect yourself as good as you can and check your skin frequently for moles or anything that looks unusual.

Answer 5

yes having a pigment deficiency tends to make you more susceptible to skin cancers, you should ask relatives what problems they have had, to assess your probability you would have at getting it.