- October 3, 2026
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. It can affect people of any age, and although many cases are linked to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, melanoma risk also depends on factors such as skin type, number of moles, family history, age, and immune system health.
If you are wondering “Am I at high risk of melanoma?”, understanding your individual risk factors is an important first step. It is also important to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop melanoma.
In the UK, there is no national NHS screening programme specifically for melanoma. Instead, people are encouraged to understand their normal skin, check for changes and contact a GP when a mole or skin lesion looks unusual or changes over time. People with particularly high melanoma risk may be offered specialist skin checks.
This guide explains the major melanoma risk factors, who may be considered higher risk, what UK screening guidance says, how to check your skin and when you should speak to your GP.
You may have a higher-than-average risk of melanoma if you have one or more of the following:
A history of melanoma or other skin cancer
A close family history of melanoma
Many moles, particularly atypical or unusual-looking moles
Very fair skin that burns easily
Light-coloured eyes or hair
Freckles
A history of repeated sunburn
Significant exposure to UV radiation
A history of sunbed use
Certain inherited genetic conditions associated with melanoma
A weakened immune system or use of immunosuppressive medicines
A very large congenital mole or naevus
Increasing age, although melanoma can also occur in younger adults
Cancer Research UK identifies UV exposure as the main environmental risk factor for melanoma and also lists skin type, freckling, number of moles, age and family history among important risk factors.
Having several risk factors can make regular skin awareness particularly important, but risk factors alone cannot diagnose melanoma.
Melanoma is a cancer that develops from melanocytes. These cells are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour.
Melanoma most commonly develops on skin exposed to sunlight, but it can occur elsewhere. Less common melanomas can develop on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, under nails or in the eyes.
Melanoma can sometimes develop from an existing mole, but it can also appear on previously normal skin.
This is why knowing what your skin normally looks like is so important.
For a practical guide, read our related article: How to Check Moles for Melanoma at Home.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Around 19,400 people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK each year, according to Cancer Research UK.
Cancer Research UK estimates that approximately 86% of melanoma cases in the UK are preventable, with excessive UV exposure being a major contributor.
This does not mean every melanoma can be prevented. Genetics, age, skin type and other factors also influence individual risk.
The practical message is simple: protect your skin from excessive UV exposure and pay attention to new or changing skin lesions.
UV radiation from sunlight and sunbeds is the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma.
Repeated exposure to UV radiation can damage DNA in skin cells. Over time, this damage can contribute to abnormal cell growth and skin cancer.
Cancer Research UK estimates that around 85% of melanomas in the UK are caused by too much UV exposure.
UV exposure can come from:
Everyday sunlight
Holidays in sunny countries
Intentional tanning
Outdoor activities
Outdoor occupations
Sunbeds and artificial tanning equipment
You do not need to live in a very sunny country to experience significant UV exposure. UV levels can be high enough to cause skin damage during periods of strong sunlight in the UK.
A history of sunburn is associated with an increased risk of melanoma.
The risk is particularly relevant when sunburn has occurred repeatedly over a person’s lifetime. Cancer Research UK notes that the increased risk associated with sunburn can occur following exposure at different ages, not only during childhood.
If you frequently burned rather than tanned when younger, it is worth taking extra care with sun protection now.
Past sun damage cannot be reversed completely, but reducing additional UV exposure can help lower preventable risk.
Sunbeds expose the skin to artificial UV radiation.
Using sunbeds increases melanoma risk, and the risk is particularly concerning when sunbeds are used at younger ages. Sunbed use by people under 18 is banned in the UK.
If you have previously used sunbeds, this is one factor to mention when discussing your skin cancer risk with a healthcare professional.
People with fair or white skin are generally more susceptible to UV-related skin damage.
Risk is higher particularly among people who:
Burn easily
Have very fair skin
Have red or blond hair
Have light-coloured eyes
Have many freckles
Find it difficult to develop a tan
Having darker skin does not make melanoma impossible. Melanoma can occur in people with brown or black skin, including on areas such as the palms, soles and underneath nails.
The number of moles you have can influence melanoma risk.
Cancer Research UK reports that people with larger numbers of common moles have a higher melanoma risk. One study found increased risk among people with 100 or more common moles compared with those with 15 or fewer.
This does not mean that someone with many moles will necessarily develop melanoma.
However, if you have numerous moles, especially if some are unusually shaped, unusually coloured or large, becoming familiar with your skin can be particularly useful.
Some people have moles that look different from ordinary moles.
These may be described as atypical or dysplastic naevi. Having multiple atypical moles can be associated with a higher melanoma risk.
An atypical mole may have features such as:
An irregular shape
Uneven colouring
Larger size
Less clearly defined borders
A different appearance from your other moles
It can be difficult to determine whether a mole is genuinely atypical simply by looking at it yourself. A GP or dermatologist can assess suspicious lesions more accurately.
Your family history can affect melanoma risk.
Risk is particularly important when a close relative has had melanoma, especially when:
More than one first-degree relative has had melanoma
A relative developed melanoma at a young age
Several relatives have had melanoma
The family has many atypical moles
Cancer Research UK notes that around 10% of melanoma cases may be linked to inherited genetic changes, although inherited risk accounts for only a minority of cases overall.
If multiple close relatives have had melanoma, tell your GP. Your family history may influence whether specialist assessment or monitoring is appropriate.
A small proportion of people have inherited genetic changes that increase melanoma risk.
One example is a change involving the CDKN2A gene, which can be associated with familial atypical multiple mole melanoma syndrome, commonly abbreviated to FAMMM.
People with inherited melanoma susceptibility may have:
Numerous moles
Multiple atypical moles
A strong family history of melanoma
Melanoma occurring at relatively young ages
People with significant inherited risk may be managed differently from people at average risk and may receive specialist dermatology follow-up.
If you have previously had melanoma, your risk of developing another melanoma is higher than average.
Cancer Research UK states that people who have previously had melanoma have a higher-than-average risk of developing another melanoma. Some people with particularly high risk may have regular specialist skin checks.
If you have previously been diagnosed with melanoma, follow the monitoring plan provided by your dermatology or oncology team.
Some people with weakened immune systems have a higher risk of melanoma.
This can include people taking immunosuppressive medicines after an organ transplant and people with certain medical conditions affecting immune function.
If you take long-term immunosuppressive medication, ask your specialist or GP whether you need additional skin monitoring.
Melanoma risk generally increases with age.
However, melanoma is unusual compared with many other cancers because it can also affect younger adults. Cancer Research UK notes that melanoma can occur at any age and is relatively common among younger people compared with many other cancer types.
Therefore, being young does not automatically make a changing mole safe to ignore.
Some people are born with very large congenital melanocytic naevi.
Cancer Research UK identifies a giant congenital mole larger than 20 cm across as a factor associated with higher melanoma risk. People with very large congenital naevi may require specialist dermatology monitoring.
There is no simple online test that can definitively tell you whether you are “high risk” of melanoma.
Instead, doctors consider a combination of factors.
| Risk factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Many moles | Larger numbers of moles are associated with higher melanoma risk |
| Atypical moles | Multiple unusual moles can indicate increased risk |
| Fair skin | More susceptible to UV-related damage |
| Freckles | Associated with increased UV sensitivity and melanoma risk |
| Repeated sunburn | Associated with increased melanoma risk |
| Sunbed use | UV exposure increases melanoma risk |
| Strong family history | Some families have inherited melanoma susceptibility |
| Previous melanoma | Increases the risk of another melanoma |
| Immunosuppression | Can increase skin cancer risk |
| Large congenital naevus | Some very large congenital moles carry increased risk |
| Older age | Melanoma risk generally increases with age |
Having one factor does not automatically mean that you need specialist screening.
The combination of several factors, particularly a previous melanoma or strong family history, is more important when discussing your individual risk with a healthcare professional.
One of the most important points to understand is that the UK does not currently have a national melanoma screening programme.
Unlike some other cancers for which eligible people are routinely invited for NHS screening, there is no nationwide programme inviting the general population for regular melanoma checks. Cancer Research UK explains that there is currently no national screening programme for melanoma because evidence has not established that the overall benefits of population screening outweigh the potential harms.
Not routinely for everyone.
However, people who are considered particularly high risk may receive specialist skin surveillance depending on their circumstances.
Cancer Research UK identifies people who may have substantially higher risk, including those with:
More than one previous melanoma
Two or more first-degree relatives with melanoma
Several family members affected by melanoma or pancreatic cancer
A history of organ transplantation
Dysplastic naevus syndrome
A known family genetic change associated with melanoma
A very large congenital mole
These people may be advised to have regular appointments with a dermatologist or another specialist.
For most people, the emphasis is on skin awareness and prompt assessment of suspicious changes.
This means knowing what your normal moles, freckles and skin look like and checking for changes.
You can read our detailed guide: How to Check Moles for Melanoma at Home.
When checking your skin, look for:
New moles
A mole that is getting bigger
A change in shape
A change in colour
Multiple colours within one lesion
Bleeding
Crusting
Inflammation
Persistent itching
Pain or unusual sensation
A new unusual mark that does not disappear
The NHS recommends contacting a GP if a mole changes size, shape or colour, becomes painful or itchy, becomes inflamed, bleeds or becomes crusty.
The ABCDE approach is a useful way to remember warning signs.
One half of a mole does not look like the other half.
The edges may be irregular, uneven, blurred or poorly defined.
The lesion may contain different shades or colours rather than being a single, even colour.
Larger lesions can be concerning. However, melanoma can sometimes be smaller than 6 mm, so size should never be used on its own to rule melanoma out.
A mole or skin lesion that changes over time deserves particular attention.
Change is one of the most important warning signs.
For a more detailed explanation of these signs, see our guide to checking moles for melanoma at home.
The NHS pathway is not based solely on the ABCDE rule.
NICE recommends a weighted 7-point checklist for suspicious pigmented skin lesions.
The major features are worth two points each:
Change in size — 2 points
Irregular shape — 2 points
Irregular colour — 2 points
The minor features are worth one point each:
Diameter of 7 mm or more — 1 point
Inflammation — 1 point
Oozing — 1 point
Change in sensation — 1 point
A suspicious pigmented lesion scoring 3 or more should be referred using the suspected cancer pathway under NICE guidance.
The NICE checklist is a clinical referral tool.
It should not be used as a way to reassure yourself that a mole is harmless simply because it scores below three.
A suspicious lesion may still require assessment based on clinical judgement, dermoscopy or other features. NICE also recommends suspected cancer pathway referral when dermoscopy suggests melanoma and consideration of urgent referral for lesions suggesting nodular melanoma.
Contact your GP if you notice:
A new mole that looks unusual
A mole changing in size
A mole changing shape
A mole changing colour
A mole becoming asymmetrical
Bleeding or crusting
Persistent itching
Pain or unusual sensation
A new unusual skin mark that does not disappear
A dark mark under a nail without an obvious injury
The NHS advises that changes to new or existing moles should be checked by a GP.
Do not wait for a mole to become large before seeking medical advice.
Your GP may examine the mole and ask questions about:
When you first noticed it
Whether it has changed
Your sun exposure
Previous skin cancer
Your family history
Other moles or skin lesions
The GP may photograph the lesion for specialist assessment, including through teledermatology.
If melanoma is suspected, you may receive an urgent referral to a specialist.
NICE currently recommends a suspected cancer pathway referral for a suspicious pigmented lesion meeting the relevant criteria, including a weighted 7-point checklist score of 3 or more.
Dermoscopy is a specialist examination technique that uses a handheld device to magnify and illuminate the skin.
It allows trained healthcare professionals to see structures and patterns that may not be visible with the naked eye.
NICE recommends that people undergoing specialist assessment for suspected melanoma have the lesion examined using dermoscopy by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.
Dermoscopy does not automatically mean that a lesion is cancerous. It is a diagnostic assessment tool that can help specialists distinguish between benign and suspicious lesions.
Yes.
Although melanoma can be larger than 6 or 7 mm, some melanomas are diagnosed at smaller sizes.
The NHS specifically notes that melanoma can sometimes be smaller than 6 mm when diagnosed early.
That is why evolution or change is often more useful than size alone.
If a small mole has recently changed, it is worth having it assessed.
Not every melanoma can be prevented, particularly where genetic or other non-modifiable factors contribute.
However, you can reduce avoidable UV exposure.
Cancer Research UK recommends combining several sun-protection measures, including:
Spending time in the shade, particularly around the strongest sunlight
Covering exposed skin with clothing
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat
Wearing UV-protection sunglasses
Using sunscreen with at least SPF 30
Reapplying sunscreen regularly
Avoiding sunbeds
Sunscreen should not be treated as permission to spend unlimited time in strong sunlight. Shade and clothing remain important parts of sun protection.
No.
Sunscreen can be an important part of sun protection, but it does not eliminate melanoma risk.
You can still receive UV exposure while using sunscreen, especially if it is applied too thinly, not reapplied or used to extend time in direct sunlight.
A broader strategy combining shade, protective clothing and sunscreen is recommended.
Yes.
Although melanoma is less common in people with brown or black skin, it can still occur.
Some types of melanoma are more likely to develop on areas such as:
Palms of the hands
Soles of the feet
Under fingernails or toenails
These areas may receive relatively little direct sunlight, so melanoma should not be ruled out simply because a person has darker skin.
This is one reason whole-body skin awareness is important.
Having many moles does not mean that you have melanoma.
However, a large number of moles is associated with increased melanoma risk.
If you have many moles:
Learn what your normal moles look like.
Check for new or changing lesions.
Consider photographing unusual moles so that changes are easier to notice.
Protect your skin from UV exposure.
Ask your GP whether your individual risk warrants specialist monitoring.
Cancer Research UK recommends regular awareness of the appearance of your skin and moles, particularly for people with large numbers of moles or atypical moles.
A family history does not mean that you will definitely develop melanoma.
However, it can increase your risk.
The most important situations to discuss with your GP include:
A parent, sibling or child who has had melanoma
Multiple close relatives with melanoma
Relatives diagnosed at unusually young ages
A family pattern of numerous atypical moles
A known inherited genetic change associated with melanoma
If several close family members have had melanoma, ask whether specialist dermatology assessment or genetic advice may be appropriate.
Some risk factors are not under your control.
These include:
Age
Genetic susceptibility
Family history
Natural skin type
Natural hair and eye colour
Previous melanoma
Some congenital moles
Certain medical conditions
The goal is not to become anxious about these factors.
Instead, knowing your risk can help you make sensible decisions about sun protection and when to seek medical assessment.
Other factors are more modifiable.
You can reduce unnecessary UV exposure by:
Avoiding sunbeds
Avoiding deliberate tanning
Seeking shade during strong sunlight
Wearing protective clothing
Wearing a hat and sunglasses
Using SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
Reapplying sunscreen as directed
Taking extra care during sunny holidays
Avoiding repeated sunburn
These steps are particularly important if you already have other melanoma risk factors.
There is no single universal definition that can be applied to every person.
A person with fair skin and several moles may have increased risk, but that does not necessarily mean they require specialist screening.
Someone with a previous melanoma, multiple first-degree relatives affected by melanoma, a recognised inherited risk syndrome or certain other high-risk features may require much closer specialist monitoring.
Your GP or dermatologist can assess your overall history rather than looking at one risk factor in isolation.
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and sunbeds is the main environmental risk factor for melanoma. Cancer Research UK estimates that around 85% of UK melanomas are caused by too much UV exposure.
No. Having many moles increases risk, but it does not mean melanoma is inevitable. Regular skin awareness is particularly important if you have numerous or atypical moles.
No. There is currently no national NHS screening programme for melanoma in the UK. People are encouraged to monitor their skin and seek medical advice about suspicious changes. Some people at particularly high risk may receive specialist skin checks.
Yes. A GP can assess a mole or skin lesion and may refer you to a specialist if melanoma is suspected. Specialist assessment may include dermoscopy.
No. Many changing skin lesions are not melanoma. However, a change in size, shape or colour should be assessed rather than assumed to be harmless.
Important changes include growth, irregular shape, irregular colour, bleeding, inflammation, oozing, itching, pain or changes in sensation. A new unusual mark that persists should also be assessed.
Melanoma risk generally increases with age, but melanoma can also occur in younger adults.
Yes. Melanoma can occur in people with brown or black skin. Some types are more likely to develop on the palms, soles or under the nails.
There is no single NHS timetable that applies to everyone. The important principle is to know what your skin normally looks like and look for new or changing lesions. People with previous melanoma or particularly high risk should follow the checking schedule recommended by their specialist.
If you have significant risk factors, such as previous melanoma, a strong family history or numerous atypical moles, discuss your risk with your GP. Some higher-risk people may be offered specialist skin surveillance.
You should speak to your GP if you are concerned about a mole or other skin lesion, particularly if it is:
New and unusual
Changing in size
Changing in shape
Changing in colour
Bleeding
Crusting
Inflamed
Itchy
Painful
Associated with an unusual sensation
Persisting when you would normally expect it to disappear
You should also discuss your risk with your GP if you have a strong family history of melanoma or have previously had melanoma.
The NHS advises getting suspicious changes checked rather than trying to diagnose them yourself.
Understanding melanoma risk is only one part of looking after your skin.
For practical information about identifying concerning mole changes, read How to Check Moles for Melanoma at Home.
You can also explore the wider Health Cresto blog for health information covering chronic conditions, mental health, weight management and dental health.
For example, our article on Air Quality in UK Cities: Which Areas Are Worst for Asthma? provides information about environmental health risks, while our UK Mental Health Guide covers common mental health topics.
Your melanoma risk may be higher than average if you have several recognised risk factors, particularly:
Previous melanoma
A strong family history of melanoma
Numerous or atypical moles
Fair skin that burns easily
Repeated sunburn
Significant UV exposure
Sunbed use
Certain inherited genetic conditions
A weakened immune system
A very large congenital mole
However, risk is not the same as diagnosis.
The UK currently has no national melanoma screening programme for the general population. Instead, the NHS approach focuses on recognising suspicious skin changes, appropriate GP assessment and specialist referral when melanoma is suspected. People at particularly high risk may receive specialist skin surveillance.
NICE recommends urgent suspected cancer pathway referral for a suspicious pigmented lesion with a weighted 7-point checklist score of 3 or more, for lesions where dermoscopy suggests melanoma, and consideration of urgent referral for lesions suggesting nodular melanoma.
If you notice a new or changing mole, do not wait for it to become obviously serious. Contact your GP and explain what has changed.
This article is for general health information and does not diagnose melanoma or replace an assessment by a GP, dermatologist or other qualified healthcare professional. If you have a new, changing, bleeding, crusting, painful or otherwise unusual mole or skin lesion, seek medical advice.
Sources: NHS, NICE and Cancer Research UK. Guidance and recommendations can change, so readers should check the latest official NHS and NICE information when making healthcare decisions.