Skin Cancer Rates Rising Among Women In Their 20s
Posted on: Wednesday, 8 April 2009, 11:10 CDT
Deadly malignant melanoma has become the most common type of cancer among women in their 20s in the UK, according to the Cancer Research United Kingdom.
The report estimates that 340 women under the age of 30 are diagnosed with malignant melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – each year in the UK. That is nearly twice the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Skin cancer dethroned cervical cancer as the most common form of cancer in woman under 30. Melanoma is now the third most common form following breast and cervical cancers among women in their 30s.
Experts say the use of tanning bed to achieve a year-round tan is largely to blame for the increase.
"Spending time on sunbeds is just as dangerous as staying out too long in the sun," said Caroline Cerny of Cancer Research UK.
"The intensity of UV rays in some sunbeds can be more than 10 times stronger than the midday sun."
While experts say the amount of women diagnosed with melanoma in their 20s is a small percentage compared to those diagnosed later in life, some worry that it could suggest future dangers for even more women.
Cancer Research UK forecasts that melanoma will grow to become the fourth most common form of cancer among men and women of all age groups by 2024.
On Tuesday, scientists from the Institute of Cancer Research reported the discovery of a genetic mutation that may be the cause of up to 70 percent of all melanomas.
The recent study in the journal Cancer Cell shows that mutation of the BRAF gene can cause melanoma to occur.
"We know that excessive sun exposure is the main cause of skin cancer, but not much is known about the genetics behind it,” lead researcher Professor Richard Marais told BBC Health.
"Our study shows that the genetic damage of BRAF is the first step in skin cancer development.
"Understanding this process will help us develop more effective treatments for the disease."
The Cancer Research UK has launched its SunSmart campaign on its Web site to inform visitors about UV rays, tanning bed use, and ways to prevent and detect melanoma.
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Source: redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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