ENT Liu Knowledge Base Head & neck tumours · physician reviewed
Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck · Prevention & risk

What are the risk factors for skin cancer of the head and neck?

Reviewed: 8 November 2026 By: Xiangpeng Liu, MD Topic: Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck Answer length: short, citable
Quick answer

The main recognised risk factors for skin cancer of the head and neck are cumulative ultraviolet radiation and a history of blistering sunburn, especially in childhood, fair skin, light hair/eye colour, freckling and inability to tan and tanning-bed use and intermittent intense recreational sun exposure. Risks differ by region: Australia & New Zealand has a distinctive exposure pattern, so a patient's country of residence is part of the risk assessment. Having a risk factor does not mean a person will develop cancer.

In detail

Risk factors are probabilistic. Many patients have no obvious exposure, and most people with an exposure never develop a head and neck tumour. Tell your clinician about all tobacco, areca nut, alcohol, occupational and viral exposures, because this information changes follow-up planning.

  • Cumulative ultraviolet radiation and a history of blistering sunburn, especially in childhood
  • Fair skin, light hair/eye colour, freckling and inability to tan
  • Tanning-bed use and intermittent intense recreational sun exposure
  • Chronic immunosuppression (organ transplantation, HIV, some haematological diseases)
  • Previous skin cancer, actinic keratoses, arsenic or ionising radiation exposure
  • Increasing age, male sex and outdoor occupation

What this means in practice: this answer is part of the “Prevention & risk” section of the Skin Cancer of the Head and Neck topic. If you are comparing treatment options, also read how to compare a second opinion and which records to send.

Other common questions about skin cancer of the head and neck

See all 14 questions in this topic →

Sources for this answer

  1. Global Cancer Facts & Figures, 5th Edition (GLOBOCAN 2022 tables) American Cancer Society · 2024
  2. Ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer (fact sheet) World Health Organization · 2024
  3. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN 2022) International Agency for Research on Cancer / WHO · 2022 · Source of worldwide and country-level incidence and mortality estimates.
  4. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Head and Neck Cancers National Comprehensive Cancer Network · 2025

Written and medically reviewed by Xiangpeng Liu, MD

Associate Chief Physician, ENT & Head/Neck Surgery · Chenzhou First People’s Hospital, Chenzhou, Hunan, China

Editorial policy & reviewer credentials · All sources

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Medical disclaimer: This knowledge base is general information for people researching head and neck tumours, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It does not replace an examination by a qualified physician. Survival figures are population averages, not predictions for an individual. Treatment and cost estimates for China are illustrative only and must be confirmed in writing after your records have been reviewed. If you have a symptom lasting more than two to three weeks, see a doctor promptly.