At this time, no one can explain the specific causes of melanoma. Research has shown that excessive sun exposure that leads to bad, blistering sunburns is an important and avoidable risk factor. Other risk factors include a personal or family history of the disease and a weakened immune system. While not direct causes of melanoma, these factors can increase a person's chances of developing it.
Causes of Melanoma: An Overview
Doctors cannot explain why one person will develop
melanoma and another person will not. However, we do know that melanoma is not contagious and that you cannot "catch" it from another person.
Causes of Melanoma: Know the Risk Factors
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop melanoma. A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease.
Risk factors for melanoma include:
- Unusual moles (dysplastic nevi)
- Several moles (more than 50)
- Exposure to natural sunlight
- Exposure to artificial ultraviolet light (for example, a tanning booth)
- Family or personal history of melanoma
- Severe sunburns
- Being Caucasian and older than 20 years of age
- Red or blond hair
- Weakened immune system
- White or light-colored skin and freckles
- Blue eyes
- Personal history of skin cancer
- Family history of dysplastic nevi or melanoma.
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print