Which skin cancer is most associated with excessive UV exposure?

Melanoma is the type of skin cancer that is most strongly associated with excessive ultraviolet (UV) exposure. This aggressive form of skin cancer arises from melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells in the skin. While all forms of skin cancer are linked to UV exposure to some degree, melanoma is particularly influenced by intense, intermittent sun exposure, such as that which occurs during sunburns.

The risk factors for developing melanoma include a history of blistering sunburns, the presence of atypical moles, and a family history of melanoma, underscoring the significant role that UV radiation plays in its development. Melanoma can be more aggressive than other types of skin cancers and has a greater potential to metastasize, making understanding its relationship with UV exposure crucial for prevention and early detection.

Other types of skin cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are also associated with UV exposure, but melanoma is uniquely correlated with severe sunburns and high levels of intermittent UV damage. Merkel cell carcinoma, while also linked to UV radiation, is less prevalent and its relationship with UV exposure is not as established as it is with melanoma.