Skin Cancer Forum - Sun spots ?

Cancer > Skin Cancer Forum > Sun spots ?

What is melanoma? This section give you a quick intro to this particular type of skin cancer, including the entire range of types of melanomas....

Q: Sun spots ?

asked by: DoctorQuestion on May 8th, 2009

Thank you for your last response. I did see a dermatologist and she said the marks on my legs were sun spots. However now I have many other questions. Mt Melanoma was "in situ", which I hear is great. bUt now I am trying to do all I can to prevent it from coming back. I have recently read that both estrogen and vitamin C have been linked to increasing Melanoma. Is this true?

Also, she tols me that a mole i have had almost my whole life on my breast is at high risk of becoming melanoma because I have had it since childhood (now 30). Should I look int geting it removed as prevention. It is a good size and very dark but as long as I can remember it has been that way.

Thanks

Replies(2)

Dr. Robert Wascher , MD

replied on May 11th, 2009

(online)

Skin Cancer Answer A6577

The single most consistent factors linked to melanoma risk are: excessive sun exposure (especially during childhood and adolescence) in fair-skinned individuals, a prior personal history of melanoma, a strong family history of melanoma, and the presence of atypical moles (nevi). The other factors that you cite in your question are not, at the present time, considered to be clinically significant risk factors for melanoma.

As for the melanoma on your breast, you can certainly elect to have it removed, although this would not be mandatory unless it has clinically suspicious features, or it is enlarging or otherwise changing.

Sincerely/ Robert A. Wascher, MD, FACS

http://doctorwascher.com

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