Breast Cancer After Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: What To Know About Risk

Research suggests that having nonmelanoma skin cancer in the past may be tied to a higher risk of breast cancer, but that doesn’t mean one cancer causes the other.

Understanding what the research shows can help you make decisions without extra worry.

What Is Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer?

Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in people. It mainly includes two types:

• Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) — BCC is the most common type. It usually grows slowly and rarely spreads.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) — SCC is the second most common type. SCC is more likely to spread or go deeper if untreated.

Both types of skin cancer are strongly linked to ultraviolet (UV) exposure, such as from sunlight or tanning beds.

How Big Is the Risk?

Understanding your breast cancer risk after having skin cancer can be complicated. There are a few important details to consider. Always ask your dermatology team about your breast cancer risk factors.

Some studies offer clues that may help explain the possible connection.

Relative vs. Absolute Risk

You may see studies mention a higher risk, but it’s important to understand what that means.

• Relative risk compares two groups (for example, people with skin cancer versus those without).
• Absolute risk is your actual chance of developing a condition.

In many studies:

• The relative risk increase is modest (around 19 percent higher).
• The absolute risk remains low for most people (less than 0.1 percent).

Does Risk Differ Between Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma?

People with BCC may have a slightly higher chance of developing breast cancer. The evidence suggests that:

• BCC may be more consistently linked with a slightly increased risk of other cancers, including breast cancer.
• SCC may also be associated, but findings are less consistent.

How To Interpret the Research

This is where an important distinction comes in. Just because two conditions are linked doesn’t mean one causes the other:

• Correlation means they occur together more often than expected.
• Causation means one directly leads to the other.

Current research shows a connection, but it does not prove that nonmelanoma skin cancer causes breast cancer.

It’s easy to feel concerned when you hear about increased cancer risk. But the key points to remember are:

• The link between skin cancer and breast cancer is small and not fully understood.
• Most people with nonmelanoma skin cancer don’t go on to develop breast cancer.
• It reflects a statistical association, not proof of a direct cause.

Researchers continue to study this connection to better understand what it means and who may be most affected.

Why Might These Cancers Be Linked?

Researchers have looked at several possible reasons why skin cancer and breast cancer may be connected. None are proven causes, but they may help explain the connection.

Shared Risk Factors

Many factors linked to skin cancer are also linked to other cancers:

• Age — Risk for many cancers increases over time.
• Genetics — Some inherited traits affect cancer risk.
• Immune system function — A weakened immune system can raise cancer risk.
• Environmental exposures, such as UV radiation

These shared factors may help explain why some people develop both cancers.

DNA Repair and Genetics

Some people may have differences in how their bodies repair DNA damage. This can:

• Increase sensitivity to UV damage (raising skin cancer risk)
• Affect how cells respond to other types of damage linked to cancers like breast cancer

Hormonal Factors

Researchers have also looked at whether hormone-related factors, especially estrogen, could help explain part of the link. This idea is still being studied, and research hasn’t shown that hormones directly connect nonmelanoma skin cancer to breast cancer.

Should You Get More Frequent Breast Cancer Screenings?

For most people with nonmelanoma skin cancer, no special breast cancer screening is recommended beyond standard guidelines. But some people with a higher breast cancer risk may be advised to get more frequent mammograms or other screenings.

Who Might Have a Higher Risk?

The overall increase in breast cancer risk is small for people with skin cancer. However, some people may have a higher risk than others:

• People with multiple skin cancers
• Those with early-onset skin cancer (diagnosed at a younger age)
• People with weakened immune systems, such as organ transplant recipients
• Individuals with genetic mutations, or gene changes, affecting DNA repair (such as BRCA1 or BRCA2)
• People with a family history of breast cancer

If any of these apply to you, your healthcare provider may review your overall health and risk factors more closely and suggest changes to your breast screening plan.

What Can You Do To Stay Proactive?

Even though the increased risk of developing breast cancer is small, staying proactive about your health is always helpful. You can:

• Keep up with recommended screenings for breast cancer.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Eat a healthy diet full of fresh, whole foods.
• Avoid smoking.
• Discuss your full health history with your oncology care team.

These steps can support your overall health and may help catch problems early. If you’re worried about your breast cancer risk after skin cancer, ask your healthcare provider which screenings are right for you. They can base their advice on your age, health history, family history, and past skin cancer diagnoses.

Join the Conversation

On MySkinCancerTeam, people share their experiences with skin cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had questions about breast cancer risk after a skin cancer diagnosis? Share your thoughts in the comments below.