Going on a camping trip is fun, adventurous, and even extreme depending on your environment. The conditions for camping may be especially extreme if you head deep into a forest or out in the middle of the desert.
However, a major source of danger can come from your campsite itself – specifically, the campfire.
Even in recent history, there are a handful of human-made campfires that have gotten out of control and turned into a wildfire.
Besides the risk of causing a fire, there’s another concern that some people have about being close to a campfire. That concern is skin cancer. Which is why a common question many ask is “Can a campfire cause skin cancer?”
This article will explore if and how campfires and skin cancer are connected.
Can a Campfire Cause Skin Cancer?
First thing first. No, a campfire does not cause skin cancer. The likelihood of getting skin cancer after a campfire, even if you managed to get burned, is very, very small, if not nonexistent.
According to this study, the development of malignant tumors or skin cancer after a chronic burn is infrequent. However, there are reports of burn victims getting skin cancer.
More on the Connection between Burns and Skin Cancer
In the reports, there are cases of the three types of skin cancer, which are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and lastly malignant melanoma. Cases of BCC and malignant melanoma are higher compared to cases of SCC.
However, in these reports, there is a long interval between the time the victim got burned and got diagnosed with skin cancer. Most of the time, the interval between receiving the burn and the diagnosis of skin cancer ranges from 20 to 30 years. According to the study, the risk of developing skin cancer has increased slightly in these situations.
But it concluded that there is no casual or direct association between burn injuries and the risk of developing any form of skin cancer. So that means that a campfire burn is highly unlikely to cause you skin cancer.
Factors Linked to Causing Skin Cancer
There are many other causes and risk factors of skin cancer. The first and foremost cause of skin cancer is through prolonged exposure to high emission of UV rays/light.
That means that prolonged exposure to the sun, especially during the middle of the day, increases your risk of getting skin cancer. And if your exposure is frequent, then these is an increase in the risk of getting skin cancer.
Tanning on the beach or in a tanning bed will also increase your risks of getting skin cancer.
How to Prevent Skin Cancer
To reduce your risks of skin cancer, avoid tanning beds and prolonged activity in the sun, particularly at its most intense points- in North America this is typically between the hours of 12pm to 3pm.
Additionally, ensure you are regularly using sunblock. When in the sun, covering your skin such as long sleeve clothing can decrease the risk of developing skin cancer.
However, those with a family history of skin cancer are at higher risk of developing it. Skin cancer is hereditary and can be passed down to the next generation. As well, if you have already had skin cancer you have a higher likelihood to get it again.
Campfires and possible burns you will get from it do not cause skin cancer. If you are otherwise worried about getting skin cancer you can always contact a dermotologist.
