ABSTRACT
In addition to geographic risk factors, there are several patient-related factors that are associated with an increased incidence of disease. Individuals with fair skin have a higher risk of developing melanoma. The incidence is 10 times higher in whites than blacks. People with red hair have a 3.6 times higher incidence of melanoma than those with black hair. Other risk factors include a history of severe sunburns in childhood, freckling after sun exposure, and people with more than 20 nevi on their body. O f patients with melanoma, 5-11% will have a family member with melanoma.
