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Variants in pigmentation gene found to be risk factors for skin cancers

Last Updated: 2000-10-09 18:36:01 EDT (Reuters Health) - Three normal variants of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene have been found to be strongly associated with susceptibility to skin cancers in the Australian population, according to research presented here at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting.

These variant alleles occur among people whose phenotype makes them appear similar in pigmentation, and may help explain why some people go on to develop melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, or squamous cell carcinoma during life in a sunny environment while others do not, said Dr. Richard Sturm of the University of Queensland, Australia.

The three variant alleles on the MC1R gene (R151C, R160W and D294H) are associated with fair skin, red hair and ultraviolet sensitivity, but one or two ma to be sun aware," he said. "If you've got the variant, you have to be extra aware."

The Australian population has one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world, with a lifetime risk of developing melanoma of 1 in 17. This is attributed to the many fair-complexioned people from the British Isles who populate the country, parts of which receive sun exposure comparable to that of northern Africa.