Melanoma (cont.)
What are risk factors for melanoma?
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:
- 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.
- Many (more than 50) ordinary moles: Having many moles increases the risk of
developing melanoma.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Doctors recommend that people take steps to help prevent and reduce the
risk of melanoma caused by UV radiation:
- 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.
- If you must be outside, wear long sleeves, long pants, and a hat with a wide
brim.
- Protect yourself from UV radiation that can penetrate light clothing,
windshields, and windows.
- Protect yourself from UV radiation reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice.
- 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.
- 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.
Next: What are signs and symptoms of melanoma? »
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