Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk

Today’s topic: How you can lower your skin cancer risk.

The creamy warmth and gentle buzz are the perfect start to my day.

If you must know, I use a Nespresso machine. I fell for it on a trip to France long ago.

And now, I have even more reason to savor my morning ritual.

New research suggests that coffee might be doing more than just waking me up — it could be helping to protect against the deadliest form of skin cancer.

As a doctor who helps individuals with cancer, I am delighted.

A new study, fresh off the press this week, has added fuel to the already burgeoning evidence linking coffee consumption to a lower risk of certain cancers, specifically malignant melanoma in older adults. 

As someone who’s always been a bit of a coffee aficionado, this news is music to my ears.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a type of cancer that develops in melanocytes, which produce melanin, giving skin its color. 

While it most commonly occurs in the skin, it can also develop in other body parts, such as the eyes or intestines.

Melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, but it’s more dangerous because it’s more likely to spread (metastasize) to other body parts if not caught and treated early.

Key Points About Melanoma

Here are some key things to know about melanoma:

• Causes: The main cause is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (from the sun or tanning beds).
• Risk factors: Fair skin, a history of sunburns, a family history of melanoma, and having many moles can increase one’s risk of melanoma.
• Symptoms: The most common sign of melanoma is a change in a mole, such as a change in size, shape, or color. Other signs can include a new mole, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a change in skin texture.
• Prevention: Wearing protective clothing and sunscreen and avoiding tanning beds can reduce melanoma risk.
• Treatment: Treatment for melanoma hinges on the extent of the disease (stage) and may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy.

If you notice changes in your skin, such as a new mole or a change in an existing mole, it’s important to see a healthcare provider.

Early detection and management of melanoma can greatly improve the chances of a good outcome.

Melanoma: Symptoms, Staging & Treatment
Melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. It’s very treatable if caught early, and your risk can be lowered by…my.clevelandclinic.org

What Does Skin Melanoma Look Like?

The most common melanoma detection method is visual inspection.

Moles with irregular color or shape are considered suspicious and warrant further evaluation.

E is for Evolving
I listed the ABCDs of melanoma above. There is also an “E”: Evolving — The spot looks different from the rest or changes in size, shape, or color.

What to look for: ABCDEs of melanoma
Consult your dermatologist immediately if any of your moles or pigmented spots exhibit the ABCDEs.www.aad.org.

New Research Examines Coffee and Skin Cancer Risk

The large study examined whether coffee consumption affects the risk of developing melanoma, a type of skin cancer. 

Previous research suggested coffee might protect against other types of skin cancer, but the link to melanoma was unclear.

For the current study, investigators used data from a large group of non-Hispanic white adults, tracking their coffee consumption and melanoma diagnoses over about 10 years. 

They took into account other factors that could affect melanoma risk, like sun exposure, weight, age, sex, activity level, alcohol use, and smoking.

Study Results

The study found that this:

Individuals who drank the most coffee (four or more cups daily) had a one-fifth lower risk of malignant melanoma than those who drank the least. 

This protective effect seemed to increase with higher coffee consumption.

However, this link was only seen for caffeinated coffee and only for malignant melanoma. It wasn’t found for melanoma in situ, an earlier, less dangerous form of melanoma. 

This difference might mean these two types of melanoma have different causes.

My Final Thoughts

Malignant melanoma is a serious health threat, the deadliest form of skin cancer. 

While genetics can contribute, the National Cancer Institute emphasizes that excessive sun exposure and sunburns are major, controllable risk factors. 

And a tanning booth? Forget about it.

So, while sensible sun protection and sunscreen are still essential, the possibility that coffee might offer some added protection is welcome news.

Still, the results are preliminary and need replication.

If you’re not a coffee drinker, exploring the potential benefits and risks before incorporating coffee into your diet is worth exploring. 

You can consult resources like the American Institute for Cancer Research’s (AICR) Foods that Fight Cancer to help you make an informed decision.

Thank you for reading “Lower Your Skin Cancer Risk.”