ORLANDO, Fla., – Each morning on “Breakfast with Bridgett” we have interesting stories and interviews plus weather and traffic to help you plan the day.
On Monday, Bridgett talked to Dr. Michael McPhee, a surgical oncologist with Melanoma Clinic, about higher rates of young patients diagnosed with melanoma.
There’s been a steady increase in adults under the age of 30 developing the condition.
“We’re seeing a rise in individuals less than 30 that have melanoma in our clinic. It’s just not anecdotal, not just us, the data and statistics really bear that out. If you look at the population demographics, there’s a rise of nearly 50 percent,” Dr. McPhee said.
Dr. McPhee says regardless of your natural complexion or race, you should be aware of the risks.
“African Americans have the same amount of melanocytes, which produce melanin, our natural sunscreen, as Caucasians, it’s just their melanocytic activity is increased, so you have more melanin which protects you, but you’re still at increased risk for melanoma. We have to watch everybody in this young age group,” he said.
While there’s been an increase among young people, young women are at the highest risk. The doctor says the popularity of tanning at an early age is a common part of the issue.
“We talk to the young kids, they come in with a diagnosis of a pre-melanoma or melanoma. And you get the history, well, they were tanning when they were adolescents, you know they had a tanning bed in their basement, or they did it regularly at tanning booths. All that UV radiation, UV A and UV B, it adds up,” he said.
Prevention through protection and regular exams are key to staying healthy, but Dr. McPhee says if you have at least three cases of melanoma in your family, you may also be genetically predisposed, which also raises your risk and changes your care strategy.
Watch the entire interview in the video player above.
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