Posts Tagged ‘melanoma’

Scientists report today in the journal Nature that the genetic codes of two of the most commons cancers – skin and lung – have been sequenced in their entirety. It was found that melanoma skin cancer contains more than 30,000 DNA errors, mostly due to sun exposure. Lung cancer contains more than 23,000 gene errors largely as a result of cigarette smoking. The identification of these genetic errors will allow us to develop new drugs which can potentially target each of these site specifically. As well it’s conceivable that blood tests can be developed to detect DNA patterns which are unique to each type of cancer. This landmark accomplishment is the first step in the effort lead by the International Cancer Genome Consortium to catalogue all the major cancer types. Scientists in Japan are working on decoding the sequence for liver cancer, India on mouth, UK on breast, China on stomach, and the US on brain, ovary, and pancreas. [via BBC]

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Some researchers believe the popularity of indoor tanning among adolescent girls in recent years may be behind a recent increase in melanoma rates among U.S. women aged 15-39. Melanoma is a dangerous type of skin cancer. This has prompted the FDA to recommend to indoor tanning operators that teenagers be limited to three or fewer sessions in the first week of tanning. However, a new study published in the Archives of Dermatology shows that only about 11% of operators followed these guidelines, and 71% of tanning bed operators said they would allow a teen to tan seven days a week. “Exposure to UV radiation from indoor tanning lamps has been linked with both melanoma and squamous cell cancer, and first exposure before age 35 years may increase melanoma risk by as much as 75 percent,” said the study authors. [CBS News]

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Traditionally, people with darker hair and skin color who do not sunburn easily were classified as lower risk for skin cancer. But new research is showing that even people with these traits can be at high risk for melanoma, based on their genetic factors. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that variations in the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), a molecule that controls skin pigmentation, in individuals with dark features can actually increase their melanoma risk by 2.4-fold. Although no test is currently available to detect whether one has a MC1R variant, this genetic contribution to melanoma risk will definitely be considered when stratifying individuals for skin cancer risk in the future.

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Indoor tanning before the age of 35 is associated with significant increases in the risk of melanoma, a dangerous type of skin cancer that can easily spread to other parts of the body. However, studies show that each day more than one million Americans still use tanning salons. According to the American Academy of Dermatology 70% of indoor tanners are women between the ages of 16 to 29. An alternative to UV tanning is sunless tanning with products containing DHA, a plant derived compound. The tan achieved from DHA is not a dye, stain or paint, but a chemical reaction between the DHA and the amino acids in the dead layer on the skin surface. Even if you have a sunless tan, keep in mind that sun screen is still a must when going outside. Read more.

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