What are the risk factors for developing melanoma?
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There are several factors, both genetic and environmental, that may put you at risk for melanoma. If a family member has had melanoma, you are at a higher risk for the disease. Also, you are at a greater risk for melanoma if you have light hair and skin since your skin has less pigment to protect from UV rays. Other genetic risk factors include having more than 50 moles, having any irregular moles, and having a weakened immune system. Environmental risk factors may also affect the development of melanoma. If you have had a lot of sunburns, especially before you turned eighteen, you are at greater risk for melanoma. Increased sun exposure in general increases your risk, which is why people who live in sunny places have greater rates of melanoma.There are several factors, both genetic and environmental, that may put you at risk for melanoma. If a family member has had melanoma, you are at a higher risk for the disease. Also, you are at a greater risk for melanoma if you have light hair... More
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Dr. Kelly Traver answered:Excessive exposure to the sun and particularly sunburns are the most important preventable risk for melanoma. Other factors include genetics and immune deficiencies. You are at increased risk if you have red or blond hair, if you have many moles or atypical moles, and if you have a family history of melanoma.
Excessive exposure to the sun and particularly sunburns are the most important preventable risk for melanoma. Other factors include genetics and immune deficiencies. You are at increased risk if you have red or blond hair, if you have many moles or... More -
Ben Kaminsky answered:The risk factors for developing melanoma are both genetic and environmental with sun exposure considered to be the major modifiable risk factor (one you can control). Other risk factors include:
- a new mole or change in existing mole
- family history of melanoma
- personal history of basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer
- immunosuppression
- history of excessive sun exposure, inability to tan and sun-induced freckles
- blistering sunburns in the first two decades of life
- caucasian
- red or blonde hair; green or blue eyes
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The risk factors for developing melanoma are both genetic and environmental with sun exposure considered to be the major modifiable risk factor (one you can control). Other risk factors include: a new mole or change in existing mole... More -
Dr. Patrick Maguire answered:The highest risk factor for development of melanoma in adults is a persistently changed or changing mole. The medical term for mole is "melanocytic nevus." However, the absolute risk of a mole transforming into melanoma is very low. It's higher in older men than in women. One population-based study estimated the risk for a mole in a 20-year-old to transform to melanoma by age 80 to be about one in 3,000 for men, and one in 11,000 for women. Prior personal or family history of melanoma increases the risk. White people who are sensitive to the sun and those who have a history of excessive sun exposure are also at increased risk. However, people of color still get melanoma.The highest risk factor for development of melanoma in adults is a persistently changed or changing mole. The medical term for mole is "melanocytic nevus." However, the absolute risk of a mole transforming into melanoma is very low. It's higher... More -
Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor. Risk factors for melanoma include the following:
- Having a fair complexion, which includes the following: fair skin that freckles and burns easily, does not tan or tans poorly; blue or green or other light-colored eyes; red or blond hair.
- Being exposed to natural sunlight or artificial sunlight (such as from tanning beds) over long periods of time.
- Having a history of many blistering sunburns as a child.
- Having several large or many small moles.
- Having a family history of unusual moles (atypical nevus syndrome).
- Having a family or personal history of melanoma.
- Being white and male.
Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at... More -
Healthwise answered:A risk factor for melanoma is something that increases your chance of getting this cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors can make it more likely that you will get melanoma. But it doesn't mean that you will definitely get it. And many people who get melanoma don't have any of these risk factors.
Risk factors for melanoma include:
- Too much exposure to the sun's UV rays.
- Having had blistering sunburns at any time of life.
- Getting intense sun exposure every now and then.
- Fair skin that doesn't tan and tends to sunburn or freckle, along with blue or green eyes or red or blond hair.
- Numerous moles and/or more than one atypical mole.
- A large mole you have had since birth.
- A personal or family history of melanoma.
- Changes in your genes, like the change that causes a skin disease called Xeroderma pigmentosum.
A risk factor for melanoma is something that increases your chance of getting this cancer. Having one or more of these risk factors can make it more likely that you will get melanoma. But it doesn't mean that you will definitely get it. And many... More
