A risk factor is anything that increases your chance of developing a disease, including cancer. For example, smoking is a risk factor for heart disease and lung cancer. Risk factors may include personal traits and habits, family history of a disease or predisposing condition, and exposure to environmental agents.

Having one, or even several, risk factors for melanoma does not mean you will definitely develop melanoma. Rather, it means that you have a somewhat greater chance of developing melanoma than someone who has no risk factors for the disease. By knowing your risk factors, you can take steps to reduce your chances of developing melanoma, or increase your chances of finding the disease in its early, more treatable stages.