Comprehensive Cancer Care

Symptoms & Risk Factors

Anyone can get melanoma or skin cancer, even people with darker-toned complexions and those who tan without burning. However, research has shown that people with certain physical and hereditary factors are at greater risk than others.

Risk factors include but are not limited to:

• Excessive exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, including tanning beds
• History of one or more severe, blistering sunburns
• Fair skin
• More than 50 ordinary moles
• Unusual and irregular-looking moles (dysplastic nevi)
• Family history of melanoma
• Past history of melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma

Moles are quite common, and most people have between 10 and 40 moles. Characteristics of suspicious looking moles or dark spots that may develop into melanoma include:

• Uneven shape or coloration
• Ragged, blurred, or notched edges
• Changes in size
• Bleeding, itching, or painful spots
• Changes in texture, becoming lumpy, shiny, waxy, smooth, or ulcerated
• New moles