Melanoma Risk Factors: Who Is Most at Risk?
Dr. Clifford Lober, a leading dermatologist in Kissimmee and Ocoee, FL, is highly experienced at identifying skin cancer. There are three types of skin cancer, and today we want to discuss the most dangerous: melanoma. It occurs in cells that give skin a brownish color, often beginning with moles.
Moles
Normal moles are dark, small, and don’t change very much. Moles are usually non-cancerous. Some people may have no or a few moles, while others have a large number of moles throughout their bodies. Those with many are at a higher risk of developing melanoma.
There are various types of moles.
- Atypical – mostly normal-looking, but larger than other moles, and abnormal in shape and color
- Dysplastic nevus syndrome – when people have inherited the trait of having lots of moles.
- Congenital melanocytic – moles present at birth. Ones that are larger than the palm of a person’s hand have a high risk of becoming cancerous.
Risk Factors: Who Is Most at Risk?
Melanoma is usually caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. It is the most serious of the three types of skin cancer, but is highly treatable when caught early. So, never hesitate to get suspicious moles checked out at Dr. Lober’s office.
We must look at what your possible risk factors may be for developing melanoma. Some of these risk factors may or may not pertain to you, such as,
- Smoking
- Excess sun exposure
- Family history of melanoma
- Being over fifty years old
- Ultraviolet light exposure (tanning beds, tanning lights)
- Lighter skin, hair, and eyes
- Skin that gets sunburnt easily
- Skin with many freckles
- Personal history of melanoma, skin cancers
- Weakened immune systems
- Being a woman under fifty or a man over fifty
- Xeroderma pigmentosum, or XP, an inherited condition in which the skin cannot repair damage.
Just because you may have these risk factors does not mean you will develop this cancer. Some people have unknown risk factors for developing melanoma.
Where Does Melanoma Occur?
Melanoma tends to appear on areas of the skin that are less protected from the sun or UV lights. It is possible for melanoma to occur on inside areas of the body, but this is not common.
Get Your Skin Cancer Checkup Today!
Call Dr. Lober today and schedule your skin cancer checkup. Call our Kissimmee office at 407-846-7166 or our Ocoee office at 407-656-9700.