A member asked:

Does darker skin serve as protection against skin cancer?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Christopher Marek answered

Specializes in Plastic Surgery

Yes: Since most skin cancers arise due to damaged to the skin cell DNA as a result of cumulative sun exposure, darker skin pigment serves to protect the skin from the Sun's damaging UV radiation. Darker skin people can and do get skin cancers, but they are generally less common. Sun exposure is only one factor that contributes to skin cancer. Also chemical exposures, genetics, etc...

Answered 3/21/2015

3.1k views

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