Full Text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

Melanoma constitutes a major public health risk, with the rates of diagnosis increasing on a yearly basis. Monitoring for risk factors and preventing dangerous behaviors that increase melanoma risk, such as tanning, are important measures for melanoma prevention. Additionally, assessing the effectiveness of various methods to prevent sun exposure and sunburns—which can lead to melanoma—is important to help identify ways to reduce the development of melanoma. We summarize the recent evidence regarding the heritable and behavioral risks underlying melanoma, as well as the current methods used to reduce the risk of developing melanoma and to improve the diagnosis of this disease.

Abstract

(1) Melanoma is the most aggressive dermatologic malignancy, with an estimated 106,110 new cases to be diagnosed in 2021. The annual incidence rates continue to climb, which underscores the critical importance of improving the methods to prevent this disease. The interventions to assist with melanoma prevention vary and typically include measures such as UV avoidance and the use of protective clothing, sunscreen, and other chemopreventive agents. However, the evidence is mixed surrounding the use of these and other interventions. This review discusses the heritable etiologies underlying melanoma development before delving into the data surrounding the preventive methods highlighted above. (2) A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify the clinical trials, observational studies, and meta-analyses pertinent to melanoma prevention and incidence. Online resources were queried to identify epidemiologic and clinical trial information. (3) Evidence exists to support population-wide screening programs, the proper use of sunscreen, and community-targeted measures in the prevention of melanoma. Clinical evidence for the majority of the proposed preventive chemotherapeutics is presently minimal but continues to evolve. (4) Further study of these chemotherapeutics, as well as improvement of techniques in artificial intelligence and imaging techniques for melanoma screening, is warranted for continued improvement of melanoma prevention.

Details

Title
Etiologies of Melanoma Development and Prevention Measures: A Review of the Current Evidence
Author
Djavid, Amir Reza 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Connor Stonesifer 1 ; Fullerton, Benjamin T 2 ; Wang, Samuel W 2 ; Tartaro, Marlene A 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Kwinta, Bradley D 1 ; Grimes, Joseph M 1 ; Geskin, Larisa J 4 ; Saenger, Yvonne M 2 

 Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; [email protected] (A.R.D.); [email protected] (C.S.); [email protected] (B.D.K.); [email protected] (J.M.G.) 
 Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; [email protected] (B.T.F.); [email protected] (S.W.W.) 
 Columbia College, New York, NY 10027, USA; [email protected] 
 Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA; [email protected] 
First page
4914
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20726694
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2580972101
Copyright
© 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.