Causes and risk factors for skin cancer - the current state of knowledge

The most common cancer among all skin cancers is basal cell carcinoma. It occurs five times more likely than squamous cell carcinoma. In total, the incidence of skin cancer in Poland was in 2005, more than 4,300 new cases in women and nearly 4,000 men. Skin cancer is ranked in terms of the incidence of cancer, respectively, the 3 and 5 position. The incidence of skin cancer is associated with exposure to sunlight. Skin cancer most often locates on the exposed parts of the body (hands, face, neck, scalp - particularly in those balding). Most often affects people in 6 and 7 decade of life.The aim of the study was to present the carcinogenic factors responsible for the development of skin cancers and to briefly discuss individual skin cancers. We analysed Polish and foreign bibliography on the prevention of skin cancers based on the most recent reports.