Tanning is your skin's response to UV light. It is a protective reaction to prevent further injury to your skin from the sun. However, it does not prevent skin cancer. Remember, skin cancer is very slow to develop. The sunburn you receive this week may take 20 years or more to become skin cancer.
Heredity plays an important role in the development of skin cancer.
If there is a history of skin cancer in your family, you are probably at a higher risk. People with fair skin and with a northern European heritage appear to be most susceptible. Environment in which you live is also a consideration. The level of UV light today is higher than it was 50 or 100 years ago. Ozone serves as a filter to screen out and reduce the amount of UV light that we are exposed to.