Does sunlight cause melanoma?

UV radiation from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths causes damage that can lead to skin cancer. Melanoma is one type of skin cancer.

So the sun is not the only source of this kind of damage. Sunlamps and tanning booths give off UV radiation too, and all of these sources are connected to the damage that can lead to skin cancer.

Melanoma is much less common than the other main types of skin cancer, but it is much more likely to invade nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body. If you have questions about protecting your skin from UV radiation or about your own risk, your healthcare team can help you understand your options.