Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops from melanocytes, the cells that control the pigment of the skin. It typically starts on skin that’s often exposed to the sun, including the skin on the arms, back, face, and legs.
Impact of Gene Variants
Genes significantly influence the risk of melanoma. Certain genes, such as CDKN2A and CDK4, have been primarily linked to familial melanoma2. A mutation in either of these genes increases a person’s risk of melanoma.
Ways to Recognize Problems
The earliest symptom of melanoma is typically a change in an existing mole or the development of a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on your skin. Other symptoms include itching, scaling, bleeding, oozing, swelling, or pain in or around a mole.
Ways to Improve
Prevention of melanoma primarily involves protecting yourself from UV rays. This includes avoiding the sun during the middle of the day, wearing sunscreen year-round, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding tanning lamps and beds.
Did you know
An interesting fact about melanoma is that it is more than 20 times more common in whites than in blacks. Also, the incidence of people under 30 developing melanoma is increasing faster than any other demographic group, soaring by 50% in women since 1980.
