Skin Cancer Increases Risk for Other Cancers

Skin Cancer

While most people are aware of the fact that malignant melanoma can be a life threatening form of skin cancer, and that medicine has established that a person who has had a melanoma is at greater risk for developing another melanoma and other cancers later in life, the same appears to be true for all skin cancers.  Skin cancer is a disease of all races and skin colors, not just pale whites.  A review of the literature shows that photoprotection and other preventive measures are recommended for all people when it comes to exposure to ultraviolet light.

A study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, from Oxford University, of mortality data from 1999 to 2011 in England, showed the risk of primary malignant cancers was higher for those patients who previously had nonmelanoma skin cancers.  There was a significant increase in the rates of salivary gland, melanoma, bone and upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.  Risk was higher for those who had skin cancer at an earlier age.

Source:  HealthDay news


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309