Burned by the sun again and again? The risk of skin cancer may jump by 69%

A review of 17 studies involving more than 321,000 people found that severe sunburns significantly increase the risk of skin cancer. The risk of squamous cell carcinoma rose by 51% with moderate exposure and by 69% with high exposure. The risk was especially high among those who suffered severe burns in childhood, and in some cases increased up to threefold. Researchers emphasize the difficulty of separating the effect of individual burns from cumulative exposure.

A review published in the medical journal JAMA Dermatology examined data from 17 studies involving more than 321,000 people and found that severe sunburns significantly increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. People who experienced a moderate number of painful or severe sunburns during their lifetime had a 51% higher risk of developing the disease compared to those who did not suffer such burns. Among those exposed to a high number of severe sunburns, the risk increase reached 69%. One of the most concerning findings relates to childhood sunburns. According to the review's results, there is a significant link between repeated exposure to severe sunburns at a young age and an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, with some cases showing the risk rising up to threefold. It also emerged that even a relatively small number of severe sunburns may be linked to an increased risk later in life. Experts from the University of Rochester Medical Center explain that severe sunburns are not just a temporary event that ends with the disappearance of redness and pain. According to them, ultraviolet radiation can cause damage to the DNA in skin cells, and its consequences may remain long after the skin itself appears to have healed. However, the researchers emphasize that it is difficult to completely separate the effect of individual sunburns from the cumulative effect of exposure to ultraviolet radiation over time. The findings do not mean that a single sunburn will necessarily lead to cancer, as the risk is influenced by a range of additional factors, including genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and the extent of cumulative exposure. The researchers recommend avoiding sunburns as much as possible, especially severe ones that cause significant pain, blistering, or extensive peeling of the skin.