What are the risk factors for melanoma skin cancer?

A risk factor is any effect you get a disease, such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, such as smoking and excessive sun exposure, can be changed. Others, like a person's age or family history, can not be changed.

But risk factors do not tell us everything. There is a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean you will get the disease. And some people get the disease may have little or no known risk factors. Even a person with melanoma risk factors, it is often difficult to know how much may be the cause of cancer risk factors.

Scientists have found several risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop melanoma.

Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most malignant melanoma is a major risk factor. Sunlight is the main source of ultraviolet radiation. Tanning lamps and beds are a source of UV rays. Who got a lot of exposure to the light from these sources in greater risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.

Ultraviolet radiation is divided into three wavelength ranges:

• UVA rays cause aging of cells, and may cause some damage cellular DNA. They are long-term damage to the skin, such as wrinkles, but it is thought to play some role in skin cancer.
• UVB rays can cause direct damage to DNA, the principal rays cause sunburn. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers.
• UVC rays do not pass our atmosphere in sunlight does not exist. They usually do not cause skin cancer.

Although UVA and UVB rays, only a small portion of the sun's rays, they are the damaging effects of the sun on the skin of the main reasons. UV rays damage the skin cells DNA. Skin cancer begins when the harm affects the DNA of genes that control skin cell growth. UVA and UVB rays damage the skin, causing skin cancer. UVB rays are a more effective skin cancer at least some of the reasons, but what is known today, there are no safe UV rays.

A person to get a UV exposure is dependent on light intensity, duration of exposure of the skin, whether or sunscreen to protect the skin and clothing.

The nature of exposure to ultraviolet light, may play a role in the development of melanoma. Many studies have found that the development of melanoma torso (chest and back) and legs often sunburn (especially in children). May also be important the fact that these areas are not frequently exposed to UV light. Some experts believe that in these areas are different melanoma on the face and neck in a more constant sun exposure. From these different melanoma development palms, soles of the feet, under the nails, or such as the mouth and vagina, there has been little or no sunlight on the inner surface.

On how to protect yourself and your family from UV exposure information, please refer to the section, "you can do to prevent melanoma skin cancer?"

Mole

Mole (a mole medical name) is a benign (non-cancerous) melanoma. Moles usually appear, but at birth began to appear in children and young adults. Most moles will not cause any problems, but a lot of people have moles are more likely to develop melanoma.

Dysplastic nevi: dysplastic nevi (nevi are moles plural form), also known as atypical nevi, often looks a bit like a normal mole, but it looks a bit like melanoma. They are often larger than other moles, unusual shape or color. (See "melanoma skin cancer early detection do?" Nevi and melanoma how to read instructions.) They can appear on the skin is exposed to sunlight, and skin, usually covered, such as the buttocks, scalp.

Few dysplastic nevi may develop into malignant melanoma. But the majority of dysplastic nevi never become cancerous, many no pre-existing dysplastic nevi melanoma appears to be.

Lifetime risk of melanoma may be higher than 10% of people with many, dysplastic nevi (sometimes referred to as atypical hyperplasia nevus syndrome). Dysplastic nevi tend to run in families. Many dysplastic nevi and melanoma who had several close relatives of people with a very high lifetime risk of developing melanoma.

People have this situation, there should be very thorough skin, regular examinations by a dermatologist (a doctor who specializes skin problems). In some cases, to take the body photos to help doctors identify which mole is constantly changing and evolving. Many doctors recommend that these patients are taught self-examination, and to do monthly skin.

Congenital melanocytic nevi: nevus at birth are called congenital melanocytic nevi. Get the lifetime risk of melanoma congenital melanocytic nevi people estimated to have been between 0 to 10%, according to the size of the mole. With very large congenital nevi who are at greater risk, but the risk is those little mole. For example, smaller than the palm of congenital nevus melanoma risk is very low, and those covering a large part of the back and buttocks ("bathing trunk nevus") had a significantly higher risk.

Congenital nevi are sometimes removed by surgery, so they do not have a chance to become cancerous. Whether doctors recommend removal of congenital nevus, depends on several factors, including its size, position and color. Many doctors recommend, will not be deleted congenital nevi should be regularly checked by a dermatologist, and should teach patients how to do skin self-examination every month.

Similarly, any single mole becomes cancer is very low. However, there are many people who irregular or large mole increased risk of melanoma.

Fair skin, freckles, light hair

Risk of melanoma is African-American 10 times higher than whites. White with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, fair skin, freckles or burns easily increased risk.