As one of the most serious forms of skin cancer, Melanoma usually occurs in the cells that produce Melanin; these cells give color to skin. According to the NCI: “An estimated 53,600 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the United States in 2002, and an estimated 7,400 people will die of the disease. Melanoma can be cured if detected and treated early.”Although the exact sources of Melanoma is still not clear, different studies have shown that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight, or the UV of tanning lamps and beds increases the risk of developing melanoma. There are other risk factors for Melanoma such as: “having fair skin (less pigments in skin), a history of sunburn, having unusual moles, a family history of Melanoma, weakened immune system, and living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation.” Therefore, risk of Melanoma increases under some specific conditions.
In addition, a recent news report shows that: “Follow-Up Program Helps Detect Melanoma Earlier in High-Risk Patients”. Diagnosis techniques, such as Dermoscopy helps to diagnose the disease in early stages, thereby improves planning the more accurate treatments and follow up program for patients. Individual’s risk of Melanoma increases with time outdoors. Interestingly, some recent studies have shown that working at night, and having regular night-shift work may reduce the risk of Melanoma. In a recent study: "researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) found that shift work may be associated with a reduced risk of skin cancer in women. These findings are published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”… .“Working ten or more years of rotating night-shifts was associated with 44 percent decreased risk of Melanoma.”[1] Therefore, working at night may increase the risk of other type of cancers such as breast cancer or prostate cancer, but it would prevent Melanoma skin cancer.
To read more about the Melanoma's symptoms, risk factors, prevention, diagnostic tests, treatments and drugs, and/ or other details in some recent studies on this topic click on above links.
Also, there are some useful images and videos in page below, to get familiar with different types of melanoma, and knowing the A-B-C-D-E guide, "adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology's self-examination guide" http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/melanoma/DS00575
[1] Brigham and Women's Hospital (2011, March 2). Shift work may be associated with decreased risk of skin cancer. ScienceDaily
