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What Increases Your Risk
Risk factors for melanoma include:4
- Exposure to
ultraviolet radiation.
- Blistering sunburns at any time of life
- Intense sun exposure, every now and then
- Skin characteristics.
- Fair skin that doesn't tan and tends to sunburn or freckle
- Numerous moles and/or more than one atypical mole
- A large mole you had since birth
- Eye or hair color.
- Blue or green eyes
- Red or blond hair
- A personal or family history of melanoma.
- Certain gene changes.
- Xeroderma pigmentosum, a skin disease.
Treatment with the combination of a psoralen and UVA light (PUVA) may raise the risk of melanoma.1 PUVA is used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
December 05, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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Melanoma/ Skin Cancer Guide
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Common Treatments for Melanoma
Dermatologists have a simple "A, B, C, D" method to help you determine if a mole on your skin should be examined by a doctor.
Isolated Limb Infusion for Melanoma
