Melanoma risk significant among pregnant women

Source: Dermatology News, January 2016

The rising melanoma risk among women of child-bearing age is greatest in women younger than 50 who are pregnant or were recently pregnant, Cleveland Clinic researchers report in a new study.

The study highlights the need for regular skin checks and self-examinations among women younger than 50. Those diagnosed with melanoma during or within a year after childbirth should have regular follow-up and monitoring for recurrence of the skin cancer.

Researchers in Cleveland Clinic’s Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute referred to a clinical database of electronic medical records to collect detailed data of cutaneous melanomas developing in 462 women ages 49 years and younger.