A new study finds young men are at a greater risk of dying from melanoma than young women.
But a University of Michigan expert worries some people will take the wrong message from the study.
Melanoma is one of the most serious forms of skin cancer.
Researchers say their study shows young men were 55% more likely to die from melanoma than young women. The study appears in the journal Dermatology.
Michael Sabel is in U of M’s surgical oncology division. He was not involved in with the study.
He’s worried young women will misinterpret the study’s findings and believe they are less at-risk of contracting melanoma and will continue the pursuit of the perfect summer tan.
“I certainly don’t want anyone walking about from it thinking…if you’re a woman…you have to worry less about melanoma,” says Sabel, “The incident rates are increasing in women. Particularly because of the use of tanning beds and outdoor tanning is common in young , adolescent women.”
Melanoma is the third most common type of cancer in American teens and young adults.
