Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center

Cancer Clinics and Specialized Programs

Melanoma Risk Factors

• Gender - Men are more likely to develop melanoma than women.
• Age – The rate of melanoma increases with age.
• Race – Whites have about 10 times higher risk of developing melanoma than African Amercians. Whites with fair skin that freckles or burns easily have the highest risk.
• UV radiation and sunburn – Exposure to light from tanning booths, or sunlight increases the risk for melanoma.
• Immune System suppression – People treated with medicines that suppress the immune system have increased risk of melanoma.
• Moles – The number of moles or size of moles increases the risk for melanoma.
• Family history – If one or more first-degree relatives have been diagnosed with melanoma, the risk to develop melanoma is greater.