Melanoma Risk Factors and Early Detection
Risk Factors
Certain individuals are at higher risk for melanoma. Risk factors for melanoma include:
- Fitzpatrick skin type I, II
- Indoor tanning (4x the risk)
- Blistering sunburns (2x the risk)
- Family history of melanoma
- Personal history of non-melanotic skin cancers
However, not all melanomas are at high risk. Here are some additional,
more specific, risk factors for melanoma:
- Prior invasive melanoma
- Nodular melanoma
- Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome
- Over 50 moles
- Familial melanoma
- CDKN2A or CDK4 mutations
- Melanocortin 1 Receptor Genotype
- Immunosuppression
- Childhood cancer survivors (previous treatment with XRT)
- Parkinson's Disease
Early Detection
For individuals concerned about skin cancer, Hoag advises you following
your sun safety trips throughout the year in sunny Southern California,
including: avoiding the sun during the middle of the day, wear sunscreen
year-round, wear protective clothing, avoid tanning beds and check your
skin regularly and report changes to your dermatologist.
The simplest step is to visit your dermatologist for a skin check-up. During
this screening, a dermatologist can determine if there are any areas of
concern and inquire with you if you’ve noticed changes in your skin
or moles, and if it may be causing an kind of symptoms such as pain, itching
or bleeding. During this physical exam, your dermatologist will also note
the size, shape, texture and color of the area in question, and feel your
lymph nodes under the neck, underarm or groin area. When melanoma spreads,
it often travels to nearby lymph nodes first.
Hoag encourages you to stay aware of your skin, and any changes that may
occur. Hoag recommends you receive a skin examination by a dermatologist
once a year, or every six months if an individual has a family history.
Melanoma Early Detection
FotoFinder
Focus cared for individuals with a past history of melanoma, or with risk
factors for melanoma, is the mission of Hoag's High Risk Clinic, part
of the Hoag Melanoma/Advanced Skin Cancer Program. In addition to genomic
screening for patients and family members, Hoag has recently purchased
a FotoFinder unit - an advanced imaging system that scans the entire skin
surface for areas that could potentially develop into melanoma. This early
detection tool has been made possible by a generous donation from Circle
1000, a Hoag Hospital Foundation support group benefiting Hoag Family
Cancer Institute. Until now, Hoag's dermatologists have relied solely
on the naked eye to identify suspicious lesions. With FotoFinder, individuals
at high risk for melanoma can receive additional attention and surveillance
through this high-resolution mapping. Those images are stored, and then
compared to the images taken following each visit, to evaluate if new
lesions have appeared or changed.
The High Risk Clinic, which includes the use of the FotoFinder, is appropriate
for high risk melanoma/advanced skin cancer patients, and is accessed
by physician referral only. Please speak with your dermatologist to see
if this is right for you.
To contact Hoag’s Melanoma/Advanced Skin Cancer Program, please call
877-494-3484.