Ten myths about skin cancer you should know

Skin cancer is far more common than many people realize, and much of the confusion surrounding it stems from ideas repeated for years: that it only affects certain people, that it only matters in the summer, that “if it doesn’t hurt, it’s nothing,” or that a biopsy can “spread” it. The problem is that these myths delay prevention and, sometimes, diagnosis as well. Current evidence shows that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation—from the sun and also from artificial sources like tanning beds—is one of the most important factors in its development.

Myth 1: “Skin cancer only affects people with very fair skin”

Fact: Although the risk of several skin cancers is higher in people with fair skin, anyone can develop them . In darker skin tones, it can appear in less expected places, such as the palms, soles, or under the nails, and is sometimes diagnosed later precisely because of the persistent myth that «it doesn’t affect dark skin.» (Munjal and Ferguson, 2023 ; Zakhem et al., 2022)

Myth 2: “If I don’t get burned, then the sun isn’t hurting me”

Fact: Skin can accumulate UV radiation damage even if a person doesn’t develop a visible, severe sunburn. Furthermore, a history of sunburns has been associated with an increased risk of melanoma, and this risk isn’t limited to childhood; harmful exposure throughout life also matters. Dennis et al., 2008

Myth 3: “On cloudy or cool days I don’t need to protect myself”

Fact: UV radiation doesn’t disappear just because it’s cloudy or not hot. Protection is still important year-round, as UV rays can reach us even on cool or cloudy days. CDC, 2026

Myth 4: “A base tan protects me”

Fact: There is no such thing as a “healthy tan.” A tan is a sign that the skin has already been damaged by UV radiation. Furthermore, a previous tan does not offer sufficient protection against further sun damage and does not replace the use of appropriate sun protection measures. FDA, 2023

Myth 5: “Tanning beds are safer than the sun”

Fact: This is false. Tanning beds expose the skin to artificial UV radiation, and their use is associated with an increased risk of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. There is no such thing as a “safe” tanning bed. Dessinioti and Stratigos, 2022 ; AAD, n.d.

Myth 6: “If I use sunscreen, I can stay in the sun all the time”

Fact: Sunscreen helps, but it doesn’t make anyone invulnerable to the sun . The best strategy combines several measures: shade, protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and proper use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Even so, regular sunscreen use has been linked to a reduced risk of some skin cancers. (Green et al., 1999 ; Green et al., 2011 ; CDC, 2026)

Myth 7: “Sunscreen will cause me to have a vitamin D deficiency”

Fact: This concern is very common, but the available evidence does not support the idea that regular, realistic sunscreen use alone causes a significant vitamin D deficiency in most people. When there is a risk of deficiency, this should be assessed on an individual basis, not at the expense of unprotected sun exposure. Passeron et al., 2019

Myth 8: “If an injury doesn’t hurt, it can’t be cancer”

Fact: Many malignant skin lesions can be completely painless, especially at the beginning. A melanoma, for example, can appear as a new or changing spot without pain or itching. Therefore, changes in color, shape, borders, or growth are often more important than the presence of pain. Abbasi et al., 2004 ; AAD, n.d.

Myth 9: “Melanoma always comes from an old mole”

Reality: Not always. In fact, a significant proportion of melanomas arise de novo , that is, on seemingly normal skin and not necessarily from a pre-existing mole. This means that it’s not just about monitoring existing moles, but also paying attention to new spots or lesions that change over time. Cymerman et al., 2016 ; AAD, n.d.

Myth 10: “If I have a biopsy, the cancer will spread”

Fact: This is one of the most harmful myths because it can cause a person to delay an important diagnosis. A biopsy is an essential tool for confirming or ruling out skin cancer, and the risk of cancer «spreading» from having one is extremely low. In practice, the real danger is usually not performing it in time when the lesion warrants it. (American Cancer Society, 2024 ; NCCN, 2026)

Beyond the myths, there are some simple ideas worth keeping in mind. Any lesion that changes , looks different from the rest, bleeds easily, doesn’t heal, or appears as a new spot deserves attention. In pigmented lesions, the ABCDE rule remains very useful: asymmetry, irregular borders, uneven color, prominent diameter, and, above all, evolution . (Abbasi et al., 2004 ; AAD, n.d.)

Conclusion

The problem with myths about skin cancer is not only that they are false, but that they can lead to a false sense of security. Real prevention is based on consistent habits: protecting yourself from the sun, avoiding intentional tanning, checking your skin regularly, and seeking medical advice promptly if anything changes. Early detection remains one of the best tools for effective intervention. CDC, 2026

Bibliography and sources

• Abbasi NR, Shaw HM, Rigel DS, et al. Early diagnosis of cutaneous melanoma: revisiting the ABCD criteria . JAMA. 2004;292(22):2771-2776. doi:10.1001/jama.292.22.2771.
• American Academy of Dermatology. What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma . Accessed March 17, 2026.
• American Academy of Dermatology. What to look for: ABCDE of melanoma . Accessed March 17, 2026.
• American Academy of Dermatology. Skin cancer types: Melanoma signs and symptoms . Accessed March 17, 2026.
• American Academy of Dermatology. 10 surprising facts about indoor tanning . Accessed March 17, 2026.
• American Cancer Society. Can Getting a Biopsy Make Cancer Spread? Updated October 28, 2024. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reducing Risk for Skin Cancer . Updated February 10, 2026. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sun Safety Facts . Updated February 10, 2026. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Cymerman RM, Shao Y, Wang K, et al. De Novo vs Nevus-Associated Melanomas: Differences in Associations With Prognostic Indicators and Survival . J Natl Cancer Inst. 2016;108(10). doi:10.1093/jnci/djw121.
• Dennis LK, VanBeek MJ, Beane Freeman LE, Smith BJ, Dawson DV, Coughlin JA. Sunburns and risk of cutaneous melanoma, does age matter: a comprehensive meta-analysis . Ann Epidemiol. 2008;18(8):614-627. doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2008.04.006.
• Dessinioti C, Stratigos AJ. An Epidemiological Update on Indoor Tanning and the Risk of Skin Cancers . Curr Oncol. 2022;29(11):8886-8903. doi:10.3390/curroncol29110699.
• Food and Drug Administration. The Risks of Tanning . Updated May 16, 2023. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Green A, Williams G, Neale R, et al. Daily sunscreen application and betacarotene supplementation in prevention of basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomized controlled trial . Lancet. 1999;354(9180):723-729. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(98)12168-2.
• Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow-up . J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(3):257-263. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078.
• Munjal A, Ferguson NN. Skin Cancer in Skin of Color . Dermatol Clin. 2023;41(3):481-489. doi:10.1016/j.det.2023.02.013.
• National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Melanoma . 2026. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Passeron T, Bouillon R, Callender V, et al. Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status . Br J Dermatol. 2019;181(5):916-931. doi:10.1111/bjd.17992.
• World Health Organization. Ultraviolet radiation . Updated June 21, 2022. Accessed March 17, 2026.
• Zakhem GA, Motosko CC, Ho RS. Skin Cancer in People of Color: A Systematic Review . Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022;23(2):137-151. doi:10.1007/s40257-021-00662-z.