What's Your Risk For Skin Cancer?
Risk Factor Quiz
Exposure to the ultraviolet radiation of the sun is the most important fact in determining a person's risk of skin cancer. Past sunburns, sun exposure at young ages, genetics and immune system deficiencies may also play a part. This quiz can help determine your risk for developing skin cancer. After you add up your total points, match your score with those noted below to find your risk level.
| ____ | Hair Color | Blond/Red = 4, Brown = 3, Black = 1 |
| ____ | Eye Color | Blue/Green = 4, Hazel = 3, Brown = 2 |
| ____ | Where is your job? | Outdoors = 4, Mixed = 3, Indoors = 2 |
| ____ | When exposed to one hour of summer sun, you: | Burn and sometimes blister = 4, Burn then tan = 3, Tan = 1 |
| ____ | Do you have freckles? | Many = 5, Some = 3, None = 1 |
| ____ | Has anyone in your family had skin cancer? | Yes = 5, No = 1 |
| ____ | Where in the U.S. did you live most before the age of 18? | South = 4, Midwest = 3, North = 2 |
Risk Levels
- 10 - 15 points . . . Below average risk
- 16 - 22 points . . . Average risk
- 23 - 25 points . . . High risk
- 26 - 30 points . . . Very high risk
People with the following characteristics have the highest risk for skin cancer:
- Fair complexions that burn or blister easily
- Blond or red hair
- Blue, green or gray eyes
- Excessive sun exposure during childhood and teen years, blistering and sunburns before age 20
- Family history of skin cancer
- More than 100 moles; 50 if you are under age 20
DISCLAIMER: The information provided by this site is intended solely for educational purposes. This information is not to be used for medical diagnostic purposes and is not intended to serve as a recommendation for treatment and/or management of any medical/surgical condition. Most of all, this information should not be used in place of a physician or other qualified health provider. If you believe you have a medical condition, please contact your physician immediately.
My mother and I come every 6 weeks to have chemical peels for sun damage and to prevent further skin cancer. Our esthetician is Jenny Paul and she is wonderful. We drive an hour to come to her location because she takes such amazing care of us. She is kind, thoughtful, informative and a joy to be around. Thank you to Associates in Dermatology for hiring such a wonderful person to take care of us!
— Vicki P
