4. Age and BCC: The Risk Rises Over Time
Time waits for no one, and unfortunately, as we age, our risk for developing Basal-Cell Carcinoma also escalates. If you’re thinking this is another health issue for the older crowd to deal with, you’re not entirely wrong. A majority of BCC cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. However, let’s not be too quick to slap an “age-specific” label on BCC.
Contrary to popular opinion, BCC isn’t strictly a senior citizen’s concern. Increasingly, younger populations are also getting diagnosed, especially those in their 30s and 40s. It seems that sun exposure and tanning practices, popular among younger folks, are catching up. So while age is a factor, it’s not the only one.
Now let’s get to the ‘why’ behind age being a risk factor. Your skin has a memory, and it’s longer than you might think. Cumulative sun exposure over the years can set the stage for BCC. Think of it as your skin holding grudges for every sunburn and tanning session, only to retaliate later in life.(4)
