Teenage Acne Increases Risk Of Melanoma In Women

Recent findings published in the journal Cancer show that teenage acne may be linked to an increased risk of melanoma in women.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study II, which involved 99,128 female nurses who were followed for a 20-year-period.

The study results showed that women who suffered from severe teen acne were more likely to develop melanoma as adults, tying in with previous studies that have shown how teen acne can also increase the risk of moles, which are sometimes related to increased cancer risks. (52.7% vs 50.1%, P < .001 in the cohort study; and 55.2% vs 45.1%, P = .004 in the case-control study).

"Our findings suggest that a history of teenage acne might be a novel risk factor for melanoma independent from the known factors, which supports a need for continued investigation of these relationships," the researchers concluded, via Health Day. 

While some are born with an increased risk of melanoma, exposure risk can be lowered by always seeking shade, avoiding excessive time in the outdoors, wearing sunscreen and or other protective means. Sunglasses are also a good way to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around the area.

For more great nature science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).