What is a common cause of basal cell carcinoma?

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is primarily associated with cumulative sun exposure and ultraviolet (UV) radiation as common causes, but genetic predisposition plays a significant role in an individual's risk. Individuals with certain genetic conditions, such as Gorlin syndrome, have a higher likelihood of developing BCC due to inherited mutations that affect cellular repair mechanisms, which can lead to increased susceptibility to skin cancers.

While chronic smoking, viral infections, and obesity can influence cancer risk in various contexts, they are not the leading causes associated with basal cell carcinoma. For instance, smoking predominantly affects lung and other organ cancers, viral infections might relate to other types of skin cancers, and obesity has more complex pathways that do not specifically target basal cell carcinoma. Thus, acknowledging genetic predisposition is crucial for understanding who may be at heightened risk for developing this common form of skin cancer.