The following risk factors may increase a person's chance of developing melanoma:
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Dysplastic Nevus (Nevi) and Other Atypical Moles
Dysplastic nevi -- a type of mole that looks different from a common mole -- sometimes precede melanoma. This type of mole is often large with an ill-defined border and an uneven color that ranges from pink to dark brown. Parts of the mole may be raised above the skin surface. Dysplastic nevi tend to run in families.
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Personal History of Melanoma and Other Skin Cancers
Anyone with a personal history of melanoma has a high risk of developing a second melanoma. Having another form of skin cancer (basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma) also increases a person's chance of developing melanoma.
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Family History of Melanoma
Anyone with a family history of melanoma (two or more relatives who have had the disease) has a higher-than-average risk of developing this type of skin cancer.
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Overexposure to UV Radiation
The great majority of skin cancers, including melanoma, are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the invisible energy emitted by the sun. Two kinds of UV radiation are UVA and UVB radiation. According to the National Cancer Institute, UVA radiation may cause skin damage that can lead to skin cancer or premature aging. UVB radiation, which causes sunburn, can impair the genetic material that controls cell division, potentially leading to skin cancer.
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Severe Sunburn
Severe, blistering sunburns at any time in life can increase one's risk for melanoma. Sunburns are an indication of the wrong kind of sun exposure -- the intermittent or sporadic "blast" of sunlight that you might receive at midday on a beach.
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Light Complexions/Fair Skin
People with light complexions -- especially those who have had excessive exposure to ultraviolet (particularly UVB) radiation -- are at higher-than-average risk for melanoma. However, people with dark skin also may develop melanoma.
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Advancing Age
Adults are at greater risk of developing melanoma, although it can occur in children and adolescents.
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Weakened Immune System
People whose immune systems have been weakened by AIDS, immunosuppressive drugs, or certain cancers have a higher-than-average risk of developing melanoma.
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Other Skin Conditions
Also, people with xeroderma pigmentosum (a rare inherited skin condition associated with defective repair of DNA caused by UV radiation) are at greater risk for melanoma and other skin cancers on exposed areas of the skin.
