What is the most likely cause of skin cancer?

The most likely cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is a type of energy produced by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. It is known to damage the DNA in skin cells, which can lead to mutations that result in cancer. The skin's exposure to UV radiation is a well-established risk factor for the development of different types of skin cancer, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

In contrast, while infrared radiation and X-rays can certainly have harmful effects on health, they are not primarily associated with skin cancer. Infrared radiation primarily contributes to heat rather than causing DNA damage. Similarly, X-rays are used in medical imaging and can pose a risk for other types of cancers due to their ionizing nature, but their link to skin cancer is not strong like that of UV radiation. Visible light, which encompasses a range of wavelengths that are not harmful to skin cells, does not significantly contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer.