The American Cancer Society as well as all other major cancer societies and organizations provide a list of risk factors recognized in the development of all types of skin cancers, including melanomas. These lists often include factors that can be controlled by the individual including sun exposure and limiting contact with other known carcinogens.1 However, there are some factors that are not within an individual’s ability to control.
Three of these factors include the features that make individuals unique and different. They include your skin tone, eye color and hair color. These three factors are controlled by genetics that may be recessive or dominant. Dominant genes always show their characteristics while recessive genes can be hidden unless both parents are carriers. Red hair, for example, is recessive which means that both parents must be carrying the genetic code for red hair to have a red haired child. Red hair is also associated with very fair skin tone and freckles, both which are also recessive genetic traits.
The Skin Tone, Hair Color Connection
The connection between skin tone, eye color and skin cancers is not definitive on its own, there are other factors that are involved as well. This means that while individuals with lighter skin tones are more likely statistically to develop skin cancers, everyone with light skin is not at the same risk level. The additional risk factors that are present are considered to be key in the development of skin cancers over the life of the person.2
The concurrent risk factors associated with light skin tones and cancer typically include history of burning, blistering and freckling as a child, family history of melanoma or skin cancer as well as the exposure of the child to harmful levels of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The harmful level, in turn, depends on the skin’s tone and the amount of natural protection. It is important to keep in mind that any skin that is exposed to the sun is more likely to develop skin cancer than skin that is protected. The exception to this rule is very dark skin tones that are more likely to develop melanomas in non sun exposed areas of the body.3
The National Cancer Institute cancer statistic information clearly indicates that different ethnicities, which correspond to different skin tones and hair colors do have a different rates of incidence and mortality with melanoma skin cancers. White skinned individuals, both men and women, have the highest rate of melanoma cancers while black skinned individuals have the lowest. Ethnic groups in the middle, including Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders and American Indians and Alaskans have rates between the two groups, but significantly lower than whites.4
Freckling, most commonly associated with fair skin and reddish hair colors is also a risk factor for people developing skin cancers as adults. Freckling occurs when the skin lacks melanin, the pigment that creates darker skin tones both naturally and when sun exposure occurs. The melanin is essential in preventing damage to the skin by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The limited amount of melanin in fair skin tends to darken just in small patches, creating freckles that may be darker or lighter depending on the skin tone and melanin present. Freckling is linked to increased numbers of moles, particularly atypical moles, which are at greater risk for developing melanoma or skin cancers. In addition these individuals, because of the genetic link between skin tone and hair color, were also more likely to have lighter hair colors including blonde or red.5
Skin Cancer And Eye Color
There have been studies completed that have focused in exclusively on the eye color of patients that have diagnosed skin cancers. In a recent study in Spain it was found that of 425 individuals interviewed with skin cancer, 359 had either blue, green, light brown or gray eyes.6 This information, while helpful in talking about skin cancer risks, may not clearly identify all of the risk factors that are associated with light eye colors.
Since eye color is also a recessive trait and is linked to both skin tone and hair color, separating out one characteristic is difficult as a meaningful way to identify skin cancer risks. In general most researchers look at the overall cluster of traits including skin tone, eye color and hair color when attempting to identify the risk factors for people to be aware of.
Genetics In Research
Recent large genetic studies, including the Human Genome Project, have shown several other considerations in the likelihood of developing skin cancer. A specific gene variant known as the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) may actually be more relevant than skin, hair and eye color in the determination of the risk of skin cancers. Research has also shown that the MC1R gene variant is present in individuals of all skin, hair and eye colors and is not genetically linked to these factors.7
Understanding that lighter skin is more easily damaged by the sun and, if the individual has the MC1R gene variant present skin cancer is more likely to develop is critical in teaching the public about skin cancer prevention and reduction. With ongoing public awareness campaigns about the dangers of sun exposure, particularly in children of any skin color, hair color and eye color, the incidents of skin cancer can be reduced over time.
References
1 Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. (n.d.). Retrieved from American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org/Cancer/SkinCancer-Melanoma/MoreInformation/SkinCancerPreventionandEarlyDetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-skin-exams
2 Gallagher, R. P. (1995). Sunlight Exposure, Pigmentary Factors, and Risk of Nonmelancyte Skin Cancer. Archives of Dermatology , 157-163.
3 Skin Cancer Symptoms. (n.d.). Retrieved from Mayo Clinic: www.mayoclinic.com/health/skin-cancer/DS00190/DSECTION=symptoms
4 SEER Stat Fact Sheets: Melanoma of the Skin. (2011). Retrieved from National Cancer Institute: seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/melan.html
5 Elwood, J. (1984). Pigmentation and skin reaction to sun as risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: Western Canada Melanoma Study. British Medical Journal , 288-299.
6 Prieto, J. G. (1977). Eye Color In Skin Cancer. International Journal of Dermatology , 406-407.
7 Kennedy, C. (2001). Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R) Gene Variants are Associated with an Increased Risk for Cutaneous Melanoma Which is Largely Independent of Skin Type and Hair Color. Journal of Investigative Dermatology , 294-300.
______________________________________________________________
DISCLAIMER:
The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Our content is not medical advice you should seek a licensed physician or health professional regarding all health issues. SKIN-CANCER.ORG takes no responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, or application of medication which results from reading this site.
