Melanoma repeats itself

A chilling study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association yesterday suggests that you're at greater risk of developing additional melanomas if you've already had one bout with this deadly form of skin cancer, or if you have a family history of melanoma. So if you've had one melanoma you are likely to have another eventually.

Excerpt from HealthDay News:

"If you've had melanoma, there's a very significant risk you'll get a second," said study author Dr. Daniel Coit, an attending surgeon and co-leader of the melanoma disease management team at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

"If you have the other risk factors -- family history or dysplastic nevi -- that risk is even higher, and you should go back [to your doctor] for skin surveillance at least twice a year," he said.

News links:

HealthDay News
Denver ABC 7 News
KHBS News
Eureka Alert
Newswise 1
Newswise 2