Public Health: melanoma triggered by mutant gene, say researchers
Women in their twenties - when the craze for a tan is at its height - are putting themselves at greater risk of skin cancer says the Institute of Cancer Research in the UK. Sunbeds are regarded as a major trigger for the mutant gene that causes the disease, they say.
Most Recent - This Section
Public Health: tobacco companies accuse Australia of stealing their brand valuePublic Health: ciggies hidden in large shops
Public Health: US Gov warns against fad of "pox parties."
Healthcare: Rhode Island Hospital ordered unecessary overnight stays, claimed fees
Public Health: USA - Unauthorised fungicide found in orange juice
Most Recent - Whole Site
The Risk Professional: Green Capital Consulting GroupLegal Professional: Baker Mac lawyer guilty of money laundering and securities fraud
Sales and Marketing: shooting oneself in the foot
Business Crime: Dear Mrs Kate Dave: Yes, please. Send it now.
The Risk Professional: Is your data secure enough for the UK's ICO?
Most Recent - BankingInsuranceSecurities.Com
Sanctions: USA PATRIOT Act designation 20120522Sanctions: OFAC Update 20120515
Sanctions: OFAC update 20120508
Sanctions: OFAC Update 20120517
Sanctions: OFAC Update 20120517 - 2
Although the BRAF gene has previously been identified as relevant to melanoma - but until now it was not know whether the damage to it was the cause or an effect of the disease.
Lead author Richard Marias released the report saying "Our study shows that the genetic damage of BRAF is the first step in skin cancer development." Identifying that the damage comes before the cancer, rather than after it, means the chance of identifying risk cases before they become cancerous are increased - and also the treatment in its early stages.
Melanoma is in fact a small percentage of skin cancers - but it is the one that is responsible for the most skin cancer deaths. Patches of discoloured skin that grow and change shape and colour are the main signs of the disease.
However, not all patches that meet those criteria are in fact cancerous: in other conditions, patches that have all the appearance of melanoma are benign - but this cannot be confirmed until after a biopsy. Some are due to non-cancerous changes in the fat layer immediately below the skin.
Melanoma is caused by over-exposure to ultra violet light. Air crew are warned that they are susceptible to the disease after many years of flying.
But those who willingly expose themselves to the sun suffer more - around 70% of cases, the ICR says - it's the damaged DNA in sunburned skin cells that causes the harm.
Which brings into focus the question of tanning machines which deliver high-doses of UV light in close proximity to the skin.
Women in their twenties are, for the first time, the largest group suffering from skin cancer - in the UK, some 300 cases each year involve women in that age group. It is now a bigger problem than breast or cervical cancer. And for women in their thirties, it is catching up fast with those other two known killers.
ICR says that sunbeds deliver as much as 10 times the dose of UV of strong natural sunlight.
