Weight-loss surgery is associated with a reduced risk of Melanoma

Weight-loss surgery reduces people’s risk of developing the deadliest form of skin cancer by more than 60 per cent, new research suggests.

People who have a gastric band or bypass are 61 per cent less likely to develop melanoma, which can spread to other organs, a Swedish study found today.

Bariatric surgery lowers the risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, which is less serious and rarely spreads, by 42 per cent, the research adds.

Researchers believe their findings suggest obesity is a risk factor for skin cancer. Previous studies suggest the two conditions share a genetic link.

It is unclear why weight loss lowers the risk of melanoma more than other forms of the disease.

Melanoma affects around 15,000 new people every year in the UK.

WHAT IS MELANOMA AND HOW CAN YOU PREVENT IT?

Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. It happens after the DNA in skin cells is damaged (typically due to harmful UV rays) and then not repaired so it triggers mutations that can form malignant tumors.

The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 91,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in the US in 2018 and more than 9,000 are expected to die from it.

Causes

• Sun exposure: UV and UVB rays from the sun and tanning beds are harmful to the skin
• Moles: The more moles you have, the greater the risk for getting melanoma
• Skin type: Fairer skin has a higher risk for getting melanoma
• Hair color: Red heads are more at risk than others
• Personal history: If you’ve had melanoma once, then you are more likely to get it again
• Family history: If previous relatives have been diagnosed, then that increases your risk

Obesity is a melanoma risk factor

The researchers, from the University of Gothenburg, wrote: ‘In this long-term study, bariatric surgery reduced the risk of malignant melanoma.

‘This finding supports the idea that obesity is a melanoma risk factor and indicates that weight loss in individuals with obesity can reduce the risk of a deadly form of cancer that has increased steadily in many countries over several decades.’

They analysed 2,007 people who underwent surgical weight-loss procedures.

These were compared against 2,040 people who did not have such surgeries.

Skin cancer diagnoses were recorded between surgeries and an average of 18 years later.

The findings were presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Vienna.

(Source)