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Melanoma: Who’s at Risk?
No one knows the exact causes of melanoma. Doctors can seldom explain why one
person gets melanoma and another does not.
However, research has shown that people with certain
risk factors are more likely than
others to develop melanoma. A risk factor is anything that increases a
person’s chance of developing a disease. Still, many who do get this
disease have no known risk factors.
Studies have found the following risk factors for melanoma:
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Dysplastic nevi: Dysplastic
nevi are more likely than ordinary moles to become cancerous. Dysplastic nevi
are common, and many people have a few of these abnormal moles. The risk of
melanoma is greatest for people who have a large number of dysplastic nevi. The
risk is especially high for people with a family history of both dysplastic
nevi and melanoma.
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Many (more than 50) ordinary moles: Having many moles increases the risk
of developing melanoma.
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Fair skin: Melanoma occurs more frequently in people who have fair skin
that burns or freckles easily (these people also usually have red or blond hair
and blue eyes) than in people with dark skin. White people get melanoma far
more often than do black people, probably because light skin is more easily
damaged by the sun.
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Personal history of melanoma or skin cancer: People who have been
treated for melanoma have a high risk of a second melanoma. Some people develop
more than two melanomas. People who had one or more of the common skin cancers
(basal
cell carcinoma or
squamous cell carcinoma) are at
increased risk of melanoma.
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Family history of melanoma: Melanoma sometimes runs in families. Having
two or more close relatives who have had this disease is a risk factor. About
10 percent of all patients with melanoma have a family member with this
disease. When melanoma runs in a family, all family members should be checked
regularly by a doctor.
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Weakened
immune system: People whose
immune system is weakened by certain cancers, by drugs given following organ
transplantation, or by
HIV are at increased risk of
developing melanoma.
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Severe, blistering sunburns: People who have had at least one severe,
blistering sunburn as a child or teenager are at increased risk of melanoma.
Because of this, doctors advise that parents protect children’s skin from
the sun. Such protection may reduce the risk of melanoma later in life.
Sunburns in adulthood are also a risk factor for melanoma.
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Ultraviolet (UV) radiation:
Experts believe that much of the worldwide increase in melanoma is related to
an increase in the amount of time people spend in the sun. This disease is also
more common in people who live in areas that get large amounts of UV radiation
from the sun. In the United States, for example, melanoma is more common in
Texas than in Minnesota, where the sun is not as strong. UV radiation from the
sun causes premature aging of the skin and skin damage that can lead to
melanoma. Artificial sources of UV radiation, such as sunlamps and tanning
booths, also can cause skin damage and increase the risk of melanoma. Doctors
encourage people to limit their exposure to natural UV radiation and to avoid
artificial sources.
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Doctors recommend that people take steps to help prevent and reduce the risk of
melanoma caused by UV radiation:
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Avoid exposure to the midday sun (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) whenever possible.
When your shadow is shorter than you are, remember to protect yourself from the
sun.
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If you must be outside, wear long sleeves, long pants, and a hat with a wide
brim.
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Protect yourself from UV radiation that can penetrate light clothing,
windshields, and windows.
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Protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice.
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Help protect your skin by using a lotion, cream, or gel that contains
sunscreen. Many doctors believe
sunscreens may help prevent melanoma, especially sunscreens that reflect,
absorb, and/or scatter both types of ultraviolet radiation. These sunscreen
products will be labeled with “broad-spectrum coverage.” Sunscreens
are rated in strength according to a sun protection factor (SPF). The higher
the SPF, the more sunburn protection is provided. Sunscreens with an SPF value
of 2 to 11 provide minimal protection against sunburns. Sunscreens with an SPF
of 12 to 29 provide moderate protection. Those with an SPF of 30 or higher
provide the most protection against sunburn.
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Wear sunglasses that have UV-absorbing lenses. The label should specify that
the lenses block at least 99 percent of
UVA and
UVB radiation. Sunglasses can
protect both the eyes and the skin around the eyes.
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People who are concerned about developing melanoma should talk with their doctor
about the disease, the symptoms to watch for, and an appropriate schedule for
checkups. The doctor’s advice will be based on the person’s
personal and family history, medical history, and other risk factors.
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