The risk of developing SCC increases as you age, and there is a reason why the disease most commonly occurs in people over The longer you live, the more sun exposure and sun damage you accumulate.
Although people of all skin types can develop SCC, people with fair skin — especially individuals with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes or skin that freckles or easily burns — have a heightened risk for the disease.
The threat of skin cancer still exists for people with darker skin tones, and the need for sun safety is absolutely essential. In fact, the majority of skin cancers in African Americans are SCCs, often arising in areas where previous skin conditions or inflammation has occurred. Recently, there has also been an uptick in new SCCs diagnosed in Latinos.
Squamous cell carcinomas occur at least twice as frequently in men as in women. This is attributed to greater cumulative amounts of sun exposure in men. People with xeroderma pigmentosum — a rare disorder that makes the skin less able to repair DNA damage caused by the sun — or other photosensitivity conditions such as polymorphous light eruption or solar urticaria have an elevated risk for skin damage, SCC and other skin cancers.
Anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of all SCCs begin as an untreated precancerous lesion known as an actinic keratosis AK. Anywhere from two to 10 percent of untreated AKs progress to SCC, sometimes as quickly as within two years, according to studies.
Find out more about AKs here, and why you need to address them before they can become more serious. This form of actinic keratosis occurs most often on the lower lip, causing it to become dry, cracked, scaly and pale or white. If not treated promptly, actinic cheilitis is at heightened risk of turning into an invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
Leukoplakias are white patches on the lips tongue, gums, cheeks or other places inside the mouth that can potentially develop into squamous cell carcinoma. They may be caused by sources of chronic irritation, such as regular alcohol consumption or tobacco use, or rough edges on teeth or dentures.
Leukoplakias on the lips are mainly caused by sun damage. It appears as a persistent red-brown, scaly patch that may resemble eczema. If untreated, it may penetrate more deeply, becoming a fully invasive SCC.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Factors. The Risks. Having dark skin only provides a certain level of defense, however. Darker-skinned individuals with more natural melanin can still develop squamous cell carcinoma and other skin cancers.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Screening. Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis. Treatment for Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Living Beyond Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Experts. Call PENN or complete an online request. In This Section. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Definition Types Support Services. Skin Head and Neck Genitals. Risks and Prevention Diagnosis Treatment. Other risks include: Excessive sun exposure. Use of tanning beds. Skin lesions actinic keratosis. History of skin cancer particularly basal cell carcinoma or melanoma.
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