Melanoma is a malignant tumor that originates in melanocytes,
the cells which produce the pigment melanin that colors our skin,
hair, and eyes. The majority of melanomas are black or brown.
However, some melanomas are skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue
or white.
Everyone is at some risk for melanoma, but increased risk depends
on several factors: sun exposure, number of moles on the skin,
skin type and family history (genetics).
Sun exposure
Both UVA and UVB rays are dangerous to the skin, and can induce
skin cancer, including melanoma. Blistering sunburns in early
childhood increase risk, but cumulative exposure also is a factor.
People who live in locations that get more sunlight —
like Texas, Florida, Hawaii, and Australia — get more
skin cancer. Avoid using a tanning booth or tanning bed, since
it increases your exposure to UV rays, increasing your risk
of developing melanoma and other skin cancers.
Moles
There are two kinds of moles: normal moles — the small
brown blemishes, growths, or "beauty marks" that appear
in the first few decades of life in almost everyone —
and atypical moles, also known as dysplastic nevi. Regardless
of type, the more moles you have, the greater your risk for
melanoma.
Skin Type
As with all skin cancers, people with fairer skin are at increased
risk. You can read more about skin type and risk here.
Family History
About one in every ten patients diagnosed with the disease
has a family member with a history of melanoma. If your mother,
father, siblings or children have had a melanoma, you are in
a melanoma-prone family. Each person with a first-degree relative
diagnosed with melanoma has a 50 percent greater chance of developing
the disease than people who do not have a family history. If
the cancer occurred in a grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle,
niece or nephew, there is still an increase in risk, although
it is not as great.
Personal History
Once you have had melanoma, you run an increased chance of
recurrence. Also, people who have or had basal cell carcinoma
and squamous cell carcinoma are at increased risk for developing
melanoma.
Weakened Immune System
Compromised immune systems as the result of chemotherapy, an
organ transplant, excessive sun exposure, and diseases such
as HIV/AIDS or lymphoma can increase your risk of melanoma.
If you are in any of these risk groups, you can protect yourself
and your children by practicing safe sun habits, remembering
to examine yourself regularly, watching for the warning signs
and getting yearly exams by a dermatologist or other physician
experienced in skin care.
Moles in an Active Stage
Moles in people belonging to melanoma-prone families are subject
to change at certain times of life. They may get larger or show
alterations in color or elevation, so for those periods, they
are described as being active. While the reasons for these changes
are not fully known, there could be a hormonal component: Moles
are more active at puberty and during pregnancy. Some —
but not all — physicians advise high-risk individuals
not to take hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives
or hormone replacement therapy. Discuss this with your dermatologist.
Examination Scheduling
Individuals with the Atypical Mole Syndrome can improve their
chances of early detection by increasing the frequency of skin
self-examination and by visiting a physician more often. The
clinician may take photographs to document whether there are
new moles or changes in older ones.
