New research shows that people who develop melanoma skin cancer are at a greater risk of developing a subsequent tumor within the next year.  Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that affects nearly 60,000 and kills 7,600 people in the United States annually.  Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth leading cancer in men and the sixth in women. 

Skin cancer experts strongly advise people who have been diagnosed and treated for melanoma skin cancer to see their dermatologist regularly for check-ups.  Experts with the melanoma disease management team at the New York Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center say that more and more people are diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer each year.  This research team has discovered that beating this skin cancer once offers no protection against getting melanoma again. 

To determine this risk, cancer researchers studied nearly 4,500 people diagnosed with primary melanoma skin cancer.  Nearly ten percent of these patients, almost 400 people, developed a subsequent melanoma tumor.  Prior to this study, the recurrence risk was believed to be about three percent.  Dr. Daniel Coit, co-leader of the team points out that these are cases of new cancer in a new location, not a return of the original melanoma. 

“Whatever causes the cancer—whether it is a genetic predisposition, or an environmental trigger, or much more likely a combination of both—still exists in the organ you’ve left behind,” say Dr. Coit “It is crucial for melanoma cancer patients to see their dermatologist for screenings for the rest of their lives.” 

Experts say these regular check-ups can help maintain the high cure rate associated with melanoma skin cancer.  Researchers conducting this study also spelled out three major risk factors associated with developing primary melanoma skin cancer:

1.  Having family members with a history of melanoma skin cancer. 
2.  Having an atypical or irregular mole or mark on the skin.
3.  Having more than one tumor. 

Researchers hope to conduct further research to determine the genetic and molecular factors of developing melanoma and the factors which cause a person to develop multiple tumors. 

If you or a loved one has had melanoma skin cancer, it is important to see your doctor regularly.  Because skin cancer is primary caused by exposure to the sun and harmful UV rays, proper skin protection is also essential, particularly if you have other risk factors for skin cancer.