Cancer: Melanoma Skin Cancer Causes

There is no known exact cause for melanoma skin cancer, but
certain risk factors are thought to increase the chance of developing melanoma skin cancer.
More than 50,000 people in the U.S. develop melanoma each year. Melanoma skin cancer is a serious cancer and is sometimes life-threatening.
Early discovery of a melanoma is paramount to a good recovery. However, if a melanoma is found late, the prognosis is often poor due to it quickly spreading and metastasizing. Once a melanoma has spread from the original site to other parts of the body, it is extremely difficult to treat.

1. UV Light
Thought to be one of the top melanoma skin cancer causes, being exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation (UV) greatly increases your risk of developing melanoma skin cancer. The UV light can be from natural sunlight, tanning lamps or tanning booths. Too much ultraviolet radiation can damage the cells of the skin, possibly causing an abnormal growth in the skin cells. Studies have shown a link between childhood sunburns and and melanoma that appears on the trunk, arms, and legs.

2. Moles
Most moles are benign and are not melanoma skin cancer. Further, most moles have little chance of turning into melanoma. However, certain types of moles called dysplastic nevi moles have a higher risk of turning into melanoma. If you have been told by a dermatologist that you have dysplastic nevi moles, you should have your skin examined regular by a certified skin doctor. You should also look at your moles at least monthly for changes or for any new moles.

3. Skin, Hair and Eye Color
Melanoma skin cancer risks include having fair skin. Specifically, having fair skin that freckles and burns easily increases the risk for melanoma as does having light-colored eyes in combination with light skin. Caucasians have about a 10 times higher risk than African Americans of developing the disease. People natural blond hair have an increased risk of melanoma skin cancer, while the highest risk comes for people with red hair.

4. Family History
Approximately 10 percent of people that have melanoma are known to have a close relative who has also had melanoma. A direct blood line is usually seen (for example, father, mother, sister, brother or biological child). The reason for this is two-fold. First, usually if one person in the family has fair skin, then other people in the family do, too. Secondly, usually the family as a whole tends to have recreational activities that include spending more time in the sun.

5. Weak Immune System
Having a weakened immune system is another risk factor for developing melanoma skin cancer. This is normally seen in patients who have been given treatments to suppress their immune system, often seen in transplant or HIV patients.

6. Gender and Age
Studies show that men have a higher risk of developing melanoma skin cancer than women. Studies also suggest that melanomas are seen more frequently in older people. However, melanomas are found in young people, including children.

7. Xeroderma Pigmentosum
This is a rare genetic disorder in which people are extremely sensitive to sunshine. Because people with xeroderma pigmentosum have a reduced ability to repair skin damage from UV light, they run an increased risk of developing melanoma skin cancer.