Melanoma Risk Factors

Aka: Melanoma Risk Factors

1. See Also
   1. Nevus
   2. Congenital Melanocytic Nevus
   3. Atypical Nevus
   4. Melanoma
2. Risk Factors: Moderate Risk
   1. UV Exposure
      1. Sun Exposure and history of Sunburns
      2. Sun sensitivity
      3. Regular tanning bed use before age 30 years
   2. Caucasian skin
      1. White skin:
         1. Men: 30.9 per 100,000 persons
         2. Women: 19.7 women per 100,000 persons
         3. Increased risk: Blond or red hair, Freckles on back
      2. Other races (lower range for women, higher range for men)
         1. Hispanic: 3.9 to 4.0 per 100,000 persons
         2. American Indian: 3.7 to 3.9 per 100,000 persons
         3. Asian: 1.3 to 1.6 per 100,000 persons
         4. Black: 0.9 to 1.2 per 100,000 persons
      3. References
         1. National Cancer Institute - SEER stat fact sheet
            1. http://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.htm
         2. Cress (1997) Cancer Causes Control 8:246-52
   3. Latitude related
   4. Immunosuppression
   5. Congenital Melanocytic Nevi
   6. Melanomna Family History
      1. First degree relative increases risk 8-12 fold
   7. Blistering Sunburn more than once as child
      1. Whiteman (2001) Cancer Causes Control 12:69-82
3. Risk Factors: Very High Risk
   1. Past history of Melanoma (especially <40 years old)
   2. History of 8 moles greater than 6 mm diameter
   3. History of a changing mole
   4. Atypical Nevus syndrome with Family History of Melanoma
   5. Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevi (>15-20 cm)
4. References
   1. Habif (2003) Clinical Dermatology, 4th ed.. Mosby, p. 773-813
   2. Rager (2005) Am Fam Physician 72:269-76
   3. Shenenberger (2012) Am Fam Physician 85(2): 161-8