Skin cancer cannot transmit from person to person. It is not contagious and cannot spread through touch, contact, or any other means.

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the skin cells. It occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably due to DNA damage, often caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds.

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Skin cancer is not contagiousTrusted Source. It does not spread from one person to another through contact, air, bodily fluids, or any other means.

Skin cancer arises from mutations in skin cells, often due toTrusted Source UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds, and is a non-communicable disease.

There are three main types of skin cancer:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): The most common typeTrusted Source, often appearing as a flesh-colored bump or patch, typically linked to long-term sun exposure.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): A type that may look like a scaly discolored patch or open sore, also commonly linkedTrusted Source to UV radiation.
  • Melanoma: The most serious form, which develops in the pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) and can spreadTrusted Source to other parts of the body if doctors don’t detect it early.

Each person’s risk of developing skin cancer depends on their own environmental exposures and genetic factors, not on interactions with others who may have the disease.

Learn more about skin cancer.

Key risk factors for skin cancer includeTrusted Source:

  • Ultraviolet (UV) radiation: The main cause, often from sun exposure or tanning beds.
  • Genetic factors: Family history, fair skin, and having many moles or freckles increase risk.
  • Environmental factors: Living in sunny or high-altitude areas and exposure to carcinogenic chemicals.
  • Radiation exposure: Previous radiation treatments heighten skin cancer risk.
  • Age: The risk of skin cancer increases with age due to accumulated sun exposure.
  • Personal history: Previous cases of skin cancer raise the likelihood of recurrence.

Can an infection cause skin cancer?

Infections themselves generally do not directly cause skin cancer, but certain infections can increase the risk of developing skin cancer by damaging skin cells or suppressing the immune system.

Symptoms of skin cancer may include:

  • New growths or sores: A new mole or growth that does not heal or a sore that bleeds or scabs over and returns.
  • Changes in existing moles: Changes in size, shape, color, or texture of an existing mole, especially if it becomes asymmetrical, has irregular borders, or multiple colors.
  • Itching or tenderness: Persistent itching, pain, or tenderness in a particular area.
  • Red, brown, or scaly patches: Rough, scaly, red, or brown patches that may bleed or crust over, often linked to squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Dark streaks under nails: Unexplained dark spots or streaks under nails could be a sign of melanoma.

Learn more about the symptoms of skin cancer.

Treatment variesTrusted Source depending on the type, stage, and location of the skin cancer. Early detection significantly improves the chances of a cure.

  • Excisional surgery: Surgeons remove the cancerous tissue and some surrounding healthy skin.
  • Mohs surgery: Surgeons remove and examine layers of skin until no cancerous cells remain, often for sensitive areas such as the face.
  • Radiation therapy: Doctors use high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells, typically for areas where surgery is difficult or if the cancer is large.
  • Cryotherapy: Doctors freeze the cancerous cells with liquid nitrogen, commonly used for early-stage skin cancers or precancerous lesions.
  • Topical medications: People can apply creams or gels containing anticancer drugs (e.g., imiquimod or 5-fluorouracil) to treat superficial skin cancers.
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT): Doctors apply a light-sensitive drug to the skin and activate it with light to destroy cancerous cells.
  • Chemotherapy: Doctors usually prescribe topical chemotherapy for skin cancer, but for advanced cases, they may use systemic chemotherapy to target cancer that has spread.
  • Immunotherapy: Doctors use drugs like checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., pembrolizumab) to stimulate the immune system to attack melanoma or other aggressive skin cancers.
  • Targeted therapy: Doctors prescribe drugs targeting genetic mutations in melanoma cells, such as BRAF inhibitors, for advanced melanoma.

Learn more about treatments for skin cancer.

People should consult their doctor if they notice any new skin symptoms that could be linked to skin cancer, such asTrusted Source changes in moles, non-healing sores, unusual bumps, or persistent itching, pain, or scaly patches.

Early evaluation is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about diagnosing melanoma.

Can you touch someone with skin cancer?

Yes, it is safe to touch a person with skin cancer because it is not contagiousTrusted Source and cannot spread from person to person through touch or any other form of contact.

How likely is skin cancer to spread?

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are less likelyTrusted Source to spread (metastasize) to other body locations and usually stay localized if doctors diagnose and treat them early.

Melanoma, however, is more aggressive and can spreadTrusted Source to other parts of the body if it remains undetected or treated. Early detection significantly improves the outlook.

Cancer, in general, is a result of a person’s own cells growing uncontrollably and is not an infectious disease. Unlike bacterial or viral infections, it does not spread through physical contact, shared items, or the air.

Skin cancer is not contagious, and a person cannot transmit it to others. It develops due to genetic mutations in skin cells, typically caused by factors such as excessive UV radiation exposure from the sun or tanning beds or other environmental and genetic risk factors.