skin disorders
Melanoma
Risk Factors for Melanoma
Risk factors for melanoma include the following: Sun exposure (mainly repeated blistering sunburns) Repeated tanning with ultraviolet A (UVA) or medical treatment with psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) Personal history of skin cancer (another melanoma or another type of skin cancer) Family members with melanoma Light skin, freckling Large numbers of pigmented moles or presence of Atypical moles (especially more than 5) A weakened immune system A large congenital melanocytic nevus (giant congenital nevus) Mutations in certain genes, such asBRCA2orBRAF Advanced age People who have had melanoma are at increased risk of developing a new melanoma. Melanoma is less common among people who have dark skin. When melanoma does develop in people who have dark skin, it often develops in the nail beds and on the palms and soles. Melanomas are very rare in childhood. However, congenital melanocytic nevus is a dark-colored patch of skin, like a mole or a birthmark, that is present at birth. When large in size, for example, more than about 8 inches (about 20 centimeters), congenital melanocytic nevus is a risk factor for malignant melanoma. Although melanomas occur during pregnancy, pregnancy does not increase the likelihood that a mole will become a melanoma. Moles frequently change in size and darken during pregnancy. All people should know the The ABCDEs of Melanoma so they can check their moles for any malignant (cancerous) changes. 