Which of the following is NOT a risk factor for skin cancer?

• A. Regular sunscreen use
• B. UV exposure
• C. Fair skin
• D. Aging

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is distinguishing factors that increase risk for skin cancer from those that help protect against it. Regular sunscreen use is not a risk factor; it’s a protective behavior that helps reduce UV damage to skin cells. Sunscreen blocks or absorbs ultraviolet radiation, lowering DNA mutations that can lead to cancer.

In contrast, UV exposure in general increases risk because repeated or intense UV rays cause DNA damage in skin cells. People with fair skin have less melanin, which normally absorbs harmful UV energy, so they have higher susceptibility to UV-induced damage and cancer. Aging contributes as well because risk accumulates over time with more cumulative sun exposure and more opportunities for DNA mutations to occur in skin cells.

So, the one item that does not increase risk is regular sunscreen use, since its purpose is to reduce UV-related damage and lower skin cancer risk.