Cause
Nonmelanoma skin cancer
is usually
caused by overexposure to the sun and its
ultraviolet (UV) rays. Overexposure to UV rays can
result from:
- Having severe sunburn and blistering, especially during
childhood.
- Spending a lot of time in the sun over many years.
- Using tanning beds or sunlamps, which are artificial sources of
UV rays.
Other possible causes of skin cancer include repeated
exposure to
X-rays, certain chemicals (such as arsenic, coal tar,
creosote), and radioactive substances (such as radium). Skin cancer may also be
caused by ionizing radiation treatments for skin conditions such as
psoriasis or
acne.
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http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/skin/healthprofessional/allpages.
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Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
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McGraw-Hill Medical.
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Morton CA, et al. (2002). Guidelines for topical photodynamic therapy: Report of a workshop of the British Photodermatology Group. British Journal of Dermatology, 146: 552–567.