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Redheads face greater skin cancer risk, even without sun
New study suggests redheads are at higher risk of melanoma even if they avoid the sun.
Thu, Nov 01 2012 at 2:00 PM
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Photo: e³°°°/Flickr.com
Redheads have known for years that they have a greater risk for skin cancer caused by sun damage. Health experts continually warn those with red hair to pay careful attention and cover up whenever they expect to be in the sun. But a new study has found that redheads may be at risk from skin cancer, even without exposure to the sun.
The study, published recently in the journal Nature, found that the reddish-yellow pigment that causes red hair and hinders a fair-skinned person's ability to tan is itself a potential cause of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. This could explain why redheads are more susceptible to melanoma than anyone else, even blonds.
"Even if you're good about avoiding UV rays — you know, putting on sunscreen, wearing protective clothes and being careful at the beach — it's still possible this red pigment is related to carcinogenic activity anyway," said Dr. David E. Fisher, director of the melanoma program at Massachusetts General Hospital in Charlestown and senior author of the study.
The idea that pheomelanin, the pigment that causes fair skin and reddish hair color, might play a role in melanoma was proposed a few years ago, but it is only recently that chemists have been able to isolate pheomelanin from eumelanin — the pigment that is responsible for brownish/black coloring — to examine them individually for such an experiment.
That's not to say that redheads should throw caution to the wind when it comes to sun exposure. Some might think, if they are doomed to a greater risk of melanoma regardless, then why not hit the tanning bed? Health experts warn that skin damage caused by the sun will increase the risk even further for those with red hair and that they should be even more vigilant to avoid exposure.
But there is some good news for redheads out of this study: researchers hope that as they do more studies on pheomelanin, they'll be able to identify specific antioxidants that could stop skin damage before it begins. These antioxidants might even be be added directly to sunscreens in the future.
In the meantime, redheads — and everyone else — should continue to use sunscreen, protective clothing, and hats to minimize their exposure to the sun.
Related story on MNN: Laura Linney fronts new skin cancer PSA
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Todd
Nov 02 2012 at 9:10 AM
Seriously? Their conclusion from this study is that they will be able to use the information to make better sunscreens? Absolutely ridiculous. Sunscreens have absolutely nothing to do with this study.....not even considering the fact that sunscreen does nothing to prevent skin cancer.If anything, this study exonerates sunlight from the tremendously overstated perception that it kills, so where does sunscreen come into the equation? Sunlight is the source of all life. While there is certainly evidence
.... More
that overexposure can lead to a slight increase in risk of skin cancers, this study goes to show that it's mostly about genetics. The sun is not the killer that it's purported to be. The author of this study even notes that "mutations that drive the disease are only rarely related to UV damage." But then he goes on to talk abut sunscreen?Given mounting research on vitamin d and cancer prevention, the fact that these fair skinned people that are predisposed to cancer are being told to completely shun the sun is a great disservice to their health. It's time to abandon the ignorant fears of the sun and embrace moderate UV exposure as part of a healthy lifestyle.
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