Advanced basal cell carcinoma is a type of skin cancer. It’s not as common as milder forms of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). But certain things raise the chances you’ll get it. They include your genes, lifestyle, environment, and some prescription drugs.
Because advanced BCC can be hard to treat, it’s important to know what puts you at risk. Ask a doctor how often you should get your skin checked if you have any of the following risk factors.
Lots of Sun Exposure
The sun is the largest source of ultraviolet (UV) light. Too much can hurt the DNA in your skin cells. That’s what tells them how to fix sun damage. Your chances of skin cancer go up the more time you spend in the sun unprotected. But it can take a long time for cancer to form. It can show up 20-50 years later.
Use of Tanning Equipment
People used to think artificial UV light was safer than the sun. But studies show that’s not true. Because of this, the FDA makes companies put warnings on all tanning beds and indoor sun lamps.
Genetic Conditions
Certain disorders can make you more sensitive to the effects of UV radiation. They include:
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. This is also called Gorlin syndrome or basal cell carcinoma nevus syndrome. It’s a rare condition usually inherited from one of your parents. But you could be the first in your family to have it.
Nevoid basal cell carcinoma is caused by mutations, or changes, in a gene that’s supposed to kill tumors. Because the gene doesn’t work right, you might get lots of BCC lesions. Your tumors are more likely to grow fast and show up before age 40. But your chances of advanced BCC go way down if you have dark skin and don’t go in the sun very much.
Other disorders that can make you more sensitive to UV radiation are:
- Rombo syndrome
- Xeroderma pigmentosum
- Bazex-Dupre-Christol syndrome
Delay in Treatment
BCC is usually easy to get rid of when you catch it early. That’s because it tends to grow slower than other kinds of skin cancer. But it’s more likely to spread to other tissue the longer you wait to get treatment.
Fair Skin
Cancer affects every shade of skin. It mostly found in areas exposed to the sun, like your head and neck. You’re more at risk if your skin is really light or pale. That’s because you have less melanin, or pigment. These cells make your skin light or dark, but they also protect against UV radiation.
People with fair skin often have:
- Red or blond hair
- Light eyes, such as blue or green
- Skin that sunburns easily
Albinism is when you’re born without any melanin in your skin. You’ll need to be extra careful in the sun. Cover exposed skin with clothing and wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and at least 8% zinc oxide.
Immunosuppressive Drugs
Your chances of skin cancer go up if you have to take drugs to slow down your immune system. That makes it harder for your body to stop tumors from growing. You might have to take this kind of medicine for a long time if you get an organ transplant or have a lifelong medical condition like lupus.
Radiation Therapy
This kind of treatment is used to shrink tumors. But it’s possible to get skin cancer years after radiation therapy. That’s why it’s not often used to treat skin cancer in people who are young.
Other Risk Factors
History of skin cancer. If you’ve had BCC in the past, you’re more likely to get it in the future.
Certain chemicals. There’s evidence that arsenic in what you eat or drink can raise the chances you’ll get BCC.
Older age. The effects of sun exposure build up and damage your skin over time.