|
|
 |
|
|
|
Types of Cancer > Melanoma > Risks and Prevention
|
|
| Understanding the Risk Factors and Prevention of Melanoma |
|
|
|
|
There are various risk factors that can increase a person's chances of developing melanoma. Factors like exposure to UV and UV-B radiation, age, heredity, skin color, whether a person has moles or freckles, hair color, age, gender, and certain medications a person may be taking can all play a part in increasing an individual's chances of developing the condition.
The most commonly known risk factor related to the development of melanoma is exposure to UV radiation. Most people are exposed to UV radiation when they are exposed to sunlight, although tanning booths and other man-made instruments can be other sources of UV radiation. When children and young adults are frequently exposed to direct sunlight, it can cause genetic changes in the DNA of the childĄŻs skin cells, and can eventually cause the development of melanoma cancer. Chronic exposure to the sun in the adult years can also damage DNA and this type of UV radiation exposure is thought to lead to the melanoma tumors that are found on the neck, arms and face.
Age is another risk factor associated with melanoma cancer. As a person becomes older, their risk of developing melanoma increases. For example, women who have reached age 70 have twice of much a chance of developing melanoma cancer than women who are in their 40s. While older individuals are at an increased risk of developing the condition, it is important to remember that younger people can develop this type of cancer as well and that risk increases if a younger person has incidence of melanoma in their family history.
If a person has a family history of first-degree relatives developing melanoma, their risks of developing the condition can be up to 8 times greater than those individuals who do not have such a family history. While it is possible that this risk increase is due to a family lifestyle that results in a substantial amount of time spent outdoors, it can also be due to hereditary conditions such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum.
Individuals with light hair, fair skin and people with freckles are also at a greater risk of developing melanoma cancer. Because white people have less pigmentation protecting the lower layers of their skin than people of other ethnicities, Caucasian people are twenty-times more likely to develop melanoma cancer than African Americans are.
Moles present another common risk factor. Dysplastic and congenital moles are the moles that are most likely to turn into melanoma cancer. Dysplastic moles normally appear on the areas of the skin that are regularly exposed to the sun. These moles resemble other moles, but are generally larger. If you have family members who have dysplastic moles, your chances of developing this type of mole increase by fifty percent. Congenital moles are moles that are present at birth. If an individual has dysplastic moles or congenital moles, their chances of developing melanoma increase by approximately 6 to 10 percent.
The first step in avoiding the development of melanoma is to avoid excessive exposure to sunlight and to avoid tanning booths and sun lamps. Since these are sources of UV radiation and UV radiation causes melanoma, this step will go a long way towards preventing the development of melanoma. Whenever you go outside, make sure that you are protected with a sunscreen that has an SPF rating of at least 15. Since it is possible for melanoma to develop on the eyes and the eyelids, it's also important to wear UV-protected sunglasses. Stay in the shade as much as possible and never let a child's skin receive unprotected exposure to UV radiation.
If an individual is taking certain medications, such as medications that suppress the immune system, their chances of developing melanoma are also greater. If an organ transplant patient is taking immune suppression medications, he or she may want to discuss the risk of melanoma development with their physician.
If a person has moles, they will want to make sure that their doctor examines their moles regularly and if the moles show signs of turning into melanoma, they will need to have the moles removed. In addition to regular exams by a physician, it is also important for individuals with moles to perform monthly self exams to make sure that the moles aren't changing in shape or color. If any changes in appearance are noticed, it's important to contact a physician so that he or she can examine the mole and possibly have it removed.
|
|
|
|
| Author: | Robert Dale, Certified Medical Writer |
|
| Reviewer: | Jiade Jay Lu, M.D.
Diplomate, American Board of Radiology (Radiation Oncology) |
|
| Publish Date: November 6, 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
