The harmful UV rays penetrate the skin and damage the DNA in skin cells. This damage can cause mutations that disrupt normal cell function, potentially leading to cancer. The body attempts to repair the damaged DNA, but if the damage is too extensive or occurs repeatedly, faulty repairs can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, a hallmark of cancer. Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and non-melanoma skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are strongly linked to UV radiation from sunburns.
