The UK Institute of Cancer Research has identified an important clue in the development of melanoma – which comprises the minority of skin cancers but is the one which is often fatal.
It has been found that, perhaps, 70 percent of melanomas are triggered by a single gene mutation.
The majority of serious ailments associated with genes are caused by a combination of genes. This makes it harder to identify the culprits. If this one gene is responsible for 70 percent of melanomas it should be a relatively simply job in the future to target the gene.
Avoid the Sun
The incidence of melanoma is increased by exposure to the sun. This is because the DNA in sun damaged cells mutates, which leads to the melanoma. This is thought to be to blame in fully two thirds of melanoma cases.
