The Facts
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. In the US, it is estimated that approximately 69,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2009, and about 9,000 of them will die from the disease.
It's important to know that melanoma only has its most serious consequences if it goes undiagnosed. Melanoma fairly easy to recognize and is highly treatable if caught early.
Some risk factors for developing melanoma include:
- excessive exposure to the sun and ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- history of blistering burns
- presence of atypical moles
- having a large number of moles (i.e., more than 50 moles)
- light skin complexion (often blond or red hair color with green, blue, or gray colored eyes)
- skin that tends to freckle or burn easily rather than tan
- personal or family history of skin cancer
- people with a weakened immune system
- taking medications that increase the skin's sensitivity to UV light