Melanoma Rates on the Rise Among Young Adults

The incidence of melanoma has increased dramatically among people younger than 40, and young women in their 20s and 30s are the hardest hit, Mayo Clinic researchers report in the April issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Dermatologist Jerry Brewer, MD, and colleagues culled data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project for first-time diagnoses of melanoma in patients who were aged 18 to 39 from 1970 to 2009. They found that melanoma rates increased eightfold among young women and fourfold among young men.
Exactly why rates are on the rise is not 100% clear, but the researchers speculate that the use of indoor tanning beds is likely a key culprit. "A recent study reported that people who use indoor tanning beds frequently are 74% more likely to develop melanoma, and we know young women are more likely to use them than young men," Brewer says in a press release. "The results of this study emphasize the importance of active interventions to decrease risk factors for skin cancer and, in particular, to continue to alert young women that indoor tanning has carcinogenic effects that increase the risk of melanoma."

May is Skin Cancer awareness month and our surgeons are ready to remove and biopsy skin lesions that you may be worried about.  What should you look for? Any new colored (black, brown) lesion or mole that is growing, scarring, changing color, or scaly should raise your concern. Biopsies are covered under insurance and are performed at our office. Always see a dermatologist yearly for a full body exam in addition to being seen at our office. Many of our patients come from referring dermatologist in the local area.  These are two practices near our office that would be happy to see you:

First Coast Dermatology

Jaxdermatology