Table 1.

Risk factors for melanoma

RISK FACTORDESCRIPTION
Phenotype

  • Fair skin, light eyes

  • High nevus count and presence of clinically atypical moles are the most important phenotypic risk factors, especially when combined with family history

Environment

  • High latitude environment

  • History of living near the equator

Habits

  • Tanning bed use

  • People from northern latitudes who take annual short, intensely sunny holidays

  • Blistering sunburns <18 y

Genetic conditions

  • Xeroderma pigmentosum

  • History of retinoblastoma

  • Familial atypical melanocytic mole syndrome

History

  • Previous melanoma

  • Solid-organ transplant recipients

  • Hematopoietic cell transplant recipients

  • High cumulative dose of PUVA* therapy

  • ↵* PUVA therapy uses both psoralen (P) and ultraviolet (UV) A radiation.

  • Data from the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care.7