Why Is Skin Cancer Risk Elevated at Higher Altitudes?

Abstract

One of the strongest risk factors for skin cancer is direct exposure to the sun. Sunlight emits ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage the DNA of the cells in our bodies. UV exposure causes mutations in DNA, and these accumulated mutations can lead to skin cancer. Melanin is a pigment present in the skin that gives skin its color. Melanin also helps protect skin against UV radiation and sun damage. In addition to protective effects of the skin, most of the damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun is filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere. However, at higher altitudes, there is less atmospheric filtering of UV radiation. Therefore, ultraviolet radiation exposure is increased at high altitudes, which explains the higher risk of skin cancer in regions with high elevation.