When it comes to preventing and detecting melanoma skin cancer, taking extra precautions can really help. The best approach to melanoma is prevention — and the most effective treatment occurs when we find melanoma early.
At Penn Medicine, our cancer specialists have experience not only detecting and treating melanoma, but also helping prevent it. The Tara Miller Melanoma Center offers resources, such as melanoma screening services and patient education, to help you reduce your risk.
Melanoma Causes
The exact causes of melanoma aren’t fully known. Research shows that cancer can develop when mutations (changes) in certain genes that control cell growth cause cells to grow out of control.
The two types of gene mutations are:
- Acquired: Most cancer-related gene changes occur during a person’s lifetime. Some acquired mutations appear randomly, without a known cause. Others can result from specific risk factors, such as ultraviolet (UV) light.
- Inherited: The other type of gene mutation is passed down in families. Inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of cancer are more rare than acquired mutations.
Certain factors may cause acquired mutations that increase your risk of developing cancer. Not everyone with risk factors will get melanoma, and people who don’t have any risk factors can still get melanoma.
Melanoma Risk Factors
The various types of melanoma have different risk factors.
Risk factors for melanoma skin cancer
Certain factors can increase the risk for melanoma skin cancer, such as:
- Exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds
- History of severe sunburns
- Light skin, hair and eyes
- Many moles
- Personal or family history of melanoma or other type of skin cancer
- Weakened immune system
Risk factors for eye (ocular) melanoma
Some risk factors for ocular melanoma are similar to those for melanoma skin cancer. These factors include:
- Light eye color
- Male gender
- Older age
- Inherited skin conditions that cause abnormal moles
- Mole on the surface of the eye
Risk factors for mucosal melanoma
Mucosal melanoma has few identified risk factors. It isn’t related to UV light exposure. Some possible risk factors include:
- Chronic inflammation
- Cigarettes and other tobacco use
- Infections due to viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Mutations in certain genes
- Poorly fitting dentures
How You Can Reduce Your Risks of Melanoma Skin Cancer
Exposure to sunlight and UV light is the main risk factor for most types of skin cancer. You can reduce your UV light exposure with simple steps, such as:
- Avoid peak sun hours: Stay out of the sun between about 10 am and 4 pm.
- Wear sunscreen: Use sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30, water resistant and broad spectrum. Broad spectrum protects against UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of skin, and reapply about every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Wear protective clothing: Wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, pants and sunglasses all protect against sun exposure.
- Don’t use indoor tanning devices: Tanning beds and sun lamps expose you to intense UV radiation.
Conduct skin self-exams
We recommend doing a skin self-exam once a month. Here’s how:
- Examine your skin in a brightly lit room.
- Check all of your skin, even areas that don’t receive much sun exposure. Use a full-length mirror and a handheld mirror to see your entire body.
- Look for suspicious areas such as:
- New growths
- Moles or spots that change size, shape, texture, or color
- Sores that don’t heal within two weeks
- Rough, scaly patches of skin that might bleed
Go for annual mole checks at the dermatologist
See your doctor or dermatologist for an annual mole check. Visit sooner if you notice any unusual skin changes. For people who have a higher risk for melanoma based on their family history or exposures, we may recommend more frequent visits with the dermatologist. We can do additional testing, such as a biopsy, to determine whether any abnormal areas need treatment. Find out more about our process for melanoma diagnosis, and read common questions to ask your doctor about melanoma.
Two other types of melanoma, mucosal and eye (ocular) melanoma, have unknown causes. No screening and prevention methods exist yet. Our team at the Tara Miller Melanoma Center offers exceptional care with the latest melanoma treatments, including Mohs surgery, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.
Our Services for Melanoma Prevention and Screening
Although it’s not possible to completely prevent melanoma skin cancer, screening and prevention can reduce your risk of developing it. Our highly trained melanoma and skin cancer team are experienced in recognizing skin cancer in its earliest stages. We can spot cancer even before it begins, in precancerous skin changes.
Our services for melanoma skin cancer prevention and screening include:
- Personalized melanoma screening: We discuss possible risk factors, such as a family history of melanoma. You receive a personalized screening plan to help reduce your risks. Our cancer genetic counselors step in if you need testing for genetic factors related to melanoma.
- Complete skin exam: Annual mole checks look for any abnormal moles or skin changes.
- Whole-body photography: Photos help us monitor changes in mole patterns over time. Our medical photographer brings skill and sensitivity to photographing your skin.
- Patient education: We can show you how to do a skin self-exam, which we recommend once a month. Your care team answers questions and provides advice to reduce your risks of developing melanoma skin cancer.
- Genetic testing: Our genetic counselors have specialized expertise working with families who may have an increased risk for certain cancers, including melanoma. We provide genetic counseling and testing to assess family risk in our Translational Medicine and Human Genetics Program.
- Local community events: Our team offers free, annual skin cancer screening and an annual melanoma conference for anyone who wants to attend. Our specialists speak at support groups for people with higher melanoma risk, such as organ transplant recipients.
Request an Appointment
Call 800-789-7366 to schedule an appointment with one of our melanoma experts. You can also request an appointment using our online form.