Melanoma Could Be In Your Genes

Individuals with a variation of a Vitamin D gene, known as BSMI, have a greater risk of suffering from melanoma, a form of skin cancer that can be deadly. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. The chances of being diagnosed with skin cancer increase as we age, but it is one of the most common forms of cancer in young adults. Annually over 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma. When melanoma is found in its early stages, recovery is usually very positive. When melanoma grows deeper into the skin and spreads to other organs it is very hard to cure.

Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to both colon and breast cancer. Now, through a new study, based on data from six previous studies, including 2,152 melanoma patients and 2,410 patients without melanoma, researchers discovered patients with the BSMI variant had a 30 percent higher risk of melanoma, as reported in the online edition of Cancer. During the study, scientist examined the effects of five vitamin D receptors gene variants and their added risks on melanoma. The researchers concluded that the FokI variant had no effect on the risk of melanoma and they were unable to draw a clear conclusion on the other variants effects, with the exception of BSMI, which increased risks for patients.

Vitamin D in the body can be a defender of cancer, because of its key functions of regulating cell growth, cell differentiation and cell death. Vitamin D binds with receptors within a cell, where it exerts its effects. Individuals seem to have varying genetic differences with Vitamin D receptors, investigators have noted. Which directs them to believe people may have different levels of Vitamin D throughout their bodies, resulting in some patients naturally having more protection from cancer than others.

A few minutes in the nice warm air always seems refreshing, but we have all seen the warning in regards to the dangers of the suns rays. Sun exposure can have positive effects, by increasing levels of Vitamin D in the skin. However, sun exposure is always recommended with some form of sunscreen. Based on the recent study, the researchers have discovered more detailed research is needed to prove that indirect sun exposure may have anti-melanoma effects, and whether one specific vitamin D receptor is independently associated with a greater risk for melanoma.