Individuals with the BsmI single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene were twice as likely to develop nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) than those with no mutation, according to a recent study. A screening for the BsmI SNP, therefore, may emphasize the need for skin cancer prevention for individuals with this polymorphism. This case-control study included 97 individuals who received a diagnosis of and were being treated for basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma and 100 individuals who were receiving treatment of a condition other than skin cancer (controls) at dermatology clinics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014. All participants self-identified as non-Hispanic white. Researchers found:

• Risk factors that significantly increased the odds of an NMSC diagnosis were light skin color, greater number of severe sunburns, light eye color, and less of an ability to tan.
• The risk factors of family history of NMSC and light hair color did not reach statistical significance.