No one knows the exact causes of melanoma. Doctors can seldom explain why one person gets melanoma and another does not. However, research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop melanoma. A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing a disease. Still, many who do get this disease have no known risk factors. That is why EVERYONE should have a full body exam by a Dermatologist.

The following are factors that increase your risk.

(Click on a risk factor for more information)