Malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, originates in cells that produce the pigment melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin, hair and eyes. Melanomas can appear as black, brown, red, purple, pink, blue or white moles or growths. The cancer is curable when detected and treated early. In its later stages, it causes serious illness and death. Knowing the possible risks can allow people to have regular checkups with a dermatologist to examine suspected melanoma and prevent its rapid spread.
Fair Skin
Fair-skinned people are at increased risk of developing melanoma because there is less pigment in the skin for protection from ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from the sun, the Mayo Clinic explains. People who have blond or red hair, have light-colored eyes, and who freckle easily in the sun may be vulnerable to developing melanoma. However, people of all complexions can get melanoma. People who live in areas with more sunlight, including Florida, Hawaii and Australia, have more skin cancers, including melanoma.
UV Light Exposure
Overexposure to the sun or having severe sunburns in childhood or during the teen years increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. Cumulative exposure to the sun also plays a role, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Exposure to the UV light in tanning beds increases the risk of all cancers, including melanoma. Researchers at the University of Minnesota studied 1,167 people with melanoma and 1,101 control subjects and found that frequent indoor tanning increased melanoma regardless of the age indoor tanning began, it was reported in the May 26, 2010, online edition of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. The risk of melanoma was 74 percent higher for people who used tanning beds than people who had never used indoor tanning.
Many Moles
People with more than 50 moles on their body have an increased risk for melanoma, the Mayo Clinic reports. Atypical moles, also called dysplastic nevi, that are larger than normal moles and have irregular borders may suggest skin cancer or be a sign of moles that can turn into melanoma. People with many moles or atypical moles should have them checked regularly with a dermatologist. The more moles a person has, the greater chance there is of getting melanoma.
History
Family history of melanoma may also increase the risk. People have a 50 percent greater chance of developing melanoma if a parent or sibling had the cancer, the Skin Cancer Foundation explains. Even if a grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew has had melanoma, the risk increases for developing melanoma.
