Are bald men more likely to get cancer on their scalp?

Dr. David Leffel of the Yale School of Medicine confirms that bald men are more likely to develop nonmelanoma skin cancers on the scalp. This is because basal and squamous cell cancers are caused by overexposure to the sun.

Because a bald scalp is more likely to be exposed to the sun for extended periods, men who have experienced hair loss are more likely to develop skin cancer on their scalps. However, according to Cancer Research UK, other factors can increase the chances of developing skin cancer, such as having a fair complexion, experiencing a serious sun burn or spending long periods outdoors without adequate sun protection.