A recent study published in Nature Genetics has identified at least 5 genes that influence the risk of melanoma. Someone who has all 5 of these genetic variants is 8 times more likely to develop melanoma than someone who has no variants.

For some time now we’ve known that people with red hair and fair skin are at greater risk for getting melanoma. This study showed that the links between melanoma and the genes for red hair and freckles are much stronger than they had anticipated.

Having many moles is a risk factor for melanoma and in this study investigators found a definite link between genes on chromosomes 9 and 22 and increased risk of melanoma. The number of moles someone has is an independent risk factor, meaning someone with darker skin and hair but many moles might be at a greater risk of developing melanoma than someone with lighter skin and hair and no moles.

I think there are a couple of take-home points here. First, knowing the genetic changes that influence the risk of melanoma puts us that much closer to a way to detect who is more at risk of getting melanoma, but also gives us a target for treatment. Second, I know many people with darker skin who don’t use sunscreen because they don’t think they’re at risk. This research shows that they may still be at risk if they have many moles.

I guess the bottom line is to take precautions to be safe in the sun whether you think you need to or not.