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Skin Cancer Risk Assessment Test

Answer the quiz as best as you can. If you have a question that you are not sure about, make an approximation, or skip the question and move ahead.

Note: The quiz will not tell you whether you will or will not develop skin cancer, but it is intended to provide you with a rough guideline of your susceptibility to it.

Lifestyle Factors

1.   Do you currently work, or have worked in the past, in an occupation that exposes your skin
       to the sun for prolonged periods?
  Yes, for more than 5 years
  Yes, for less than 5 years
  No, not at all
help & info
 
 
2.   How regularly do you use broad spectrum sunscreens?
  Never
  On special occasion such as when going out to a beach.
  On a somewhat regular basis (a few times a week)
  Always
help & info
 
 
3.   Do you ever wear protective clothing when out in the sun? (Sunglasses, hats, umbrellas,
       and long sleeves)
  No, I never really thought much of it.
  Sometimes, when convenient.
  Always
help & info
 
 
4.   During my childhood, I spent most of my days:
  Outdoors playing sports with friends.
  Spent equally between indoor and outdoor activities.
  Indoors. I often read, or played video games.
help & info
 
 
5.   How often do you (or have you in the past) spend days at the beach or the tanning salon
       for the purpose of working up a tan?
  Very often. I was (am) a sun worshipper.
  I'm no sun worshipper, but I've spent considerable time at the beach.
  I rarely go out to the beach. I'm more of an indoor person.
help & info
 
 
6.   I smoke...
  More than a pack a day
  Less than a pack a day
  I have smoked in the past, but currently do not smoke
  I have never smoked before, but come into contact with smokers often
  I have never smoked before, and am rarely in contact with other smokers
help & info
 
 
7.   My stress level is...
  High
  Moderate
  Low or non-existent
help & info
 
 
8.   My exercise level is...
  Non-existent
  Low
  Moderate
  Healthy
help & info
 
 
9.   I regularly...
  Visit my dermatologist to check for any problems including skin cancer.
  Check my body for any changes to existing moles or to identify other potential skin problems
  Assume that the chances of developing skin cancer are minimal anyway, and haven't made any changes.
help & info
 
 

Genetic Factors

10.   My mother/father...
  Both have had skin cancer or actinic keratosis
  Mother or father have had skin cancer or actinic keratosis
  Both have never had skin cancer or actinic keratosis
help & info
 
 
11.   My extended family...
  Have a history of skin cancer or actinic keratosis
  Do not have a history of skin cancer or actinic keratosis
help & info
 
 
12.   My skin color is...
  Pale white, and generally doesn't tan, but burns quickly
  Olive coloured, and sometimes burns
  Dark skin, and almost never burns
help & info
 
 
13.   I am currently...
  70+ years old
  50-70 years old
  30-50 years old
  Younger than 30
help & info
 
 
14.   I have...
  I have many irregular, assymetrical, and large moles (called dysplastic nevi) over my body.
  I have more than an average number of moles on my body. (The average person has from 30-100 moles)
  Very few moles on my body
help & info
 
 

Personal History

15.   I would say that my skin is...
  Showing many signs of sun damage such as mottled or pigmented skin, sagging, discoloration and broken blood vessels.
  Showing some signs of skin damage, but not in any severe way.
  Is very healthy, and am not showing any signs of damage at the moment.
help & info
 
 
16.   I live...
  In an area that is constantly sunny, and close to the equator.
  In an area that is moderately sunny, and somewhat near the equator.
  In an area that has little sunlight, and far from the equator.
help & info
 
 
17.   I have...
  Been treated for actinic keratosis or skin cancer in the past
  Never had actinic keratosis or skin cancer in the past
help & info
 
 
18.   I have...
  A weakened immune system due to medication, illness, or other reasons.
  No health issues that would otherwise weaken or suppress my immune system.
help & info
 
 


Outdoor occupations inevitably increase the risk of skin cancer, as the skin is exposed to UV rays on a regular basis. This may be a major reason that men are more vulnerable to developing actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
Using proper sun protection on a regular basis is very important. A lot of damage is being done on a regular basis, not just when you go out to the beach. Using proper sunscreen can protect most of the damage that is being done.
Protective clothing can help to protect your skin from overexposure. All clothes have a natural sun protection factor. Making conscientious choices in this area can make a big difference over time.
It is said that up to 80% of a person's lifetime exposure occurs before they reach 18 years of age. While this is a difficult statistic to confirm or deny, it is true that youth provides many opportunities for sun exposure. Teaching your kids to protect themselves from the sun can greatly reduce skin problems later in life.
Unfortunately sun damage is cumulative and bad habits in the past can come to haunt you later. It is important to remember, however, that it is never too late to start protecting your skin.
Smoking accelerates many skin problems, and weakens the immune system, making it more susceptible to problems like skin cancer. Aside from skin cancer, smoking is proven to cause a large number of other health problems.
Stress is a common factor in skin problems. While there is no direct correlation between skin cancer and stress levels, it is well known that excess stress can weaken the immune system, which will make the body less able to control growths like skin cancer.
Exercise helps to keep the body strong, and the immune function working properly.
Regular check-ups with a dermatologist is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from skin cancer. Almost all cases of skin cancer, if discovered early, are curable. If this is not a practical solution, perform a quick body check, or have your body check once a month. A few months can save your life. These measures are especially important if you are otherwise in a high risk category.
Genetics play a large factor in cancer, and skin cancer is no exception. If your immediate family has a history of skin cancer, you may be at higher risk than others so take the proper precautions.
Genetics play a large factor in cancer and skin cancer is no exception.
Those with darker skin color have a natural layer of protection from the sun's UV light. Those with pale skin who burn are particularly vulnerable to skin problems like actinic keratosis and skin cancer.
The elderly are at a higher risk of developing skin cancer for various reasons. First, they have accumulated more sun damage over the years, and skin cancers which are slow to develop may occur many years after the initial damage was done.
Moles are often associated with potential cancerous growth. While the chances of a mole growing into cancer is very low, there is always a possibility that this could happen. People with a large number of irregular moles are considered high risk, and should visit a dermatologist for routine check-ups.
Skin cancer is primarily a disease that is caused by sun damage. While various genetic factors also play a role, minimizing sun damage will greatly minimize anyone's risk of developing skin cancer.
A major factor in total sun exposure is where one lives. Those who live in areas with strong sunlight need to be extra diligent in taking proper measures to protect their skin.
Cancer has a tendency to recur, and this is particularly true in skin cancer. In the case of skin cancer, it is thought that the existing skin damage that caused the skin cancer is also causing trouble.
Skin cancer is a serious risk in those who have a weakened immune system. AIDS patients, organ transplant patients, and those who otherwise have a compromised immune system are at a much higher risk of skin cancer than the rest of the population. If you are at high risk, visit a doctor as soon as possible.
 
     
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