Melanoma skin cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with around 16,200 people diagnosed each year. And in the last decade the number of cases in men have increased by almost half
A new link between higher levels of testosterone in the blood and increased risk of melanoma skin cancer in men has been found, according to a study funded by Cancer Research UK. The research conducted by Oxford University scientists was published in the International Journal of Cancer.
The next step will be to see whether this link is seen in other studies.
Dr Eleanor Watts, lead author, said: “This is the first time a link between testosterone and skin cancer has been seen. We already knew men diagnosed with melanoma have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer and vice versa, which was a clue that there may be a common biological or behavioural cause. And it looks like this link might be the hormone, testosterone.
“The next step will be to see whether this link is seen in other studies, and if it is, to look more closely at why testosterone might be related to the risk of melanoma developing in men.”
The study analysed UK Biobank data on testosterone from around 182,000 men and 122,000 postmenopausal women.
The researchers’ findings also supported previously known links between testosterone and prostate cancer in men, and breast and endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.
But, because it’s hard to calculate how long people spend in the sun, more research will be needed to determine if this new link is biological or if men with higher testosterone spend more time in the sun.
And it will also be crucial to replicate this study using blood samples from people of different ethnicities to see if risk estimates are generalisable as samples from the UK Biobank are predominantly from people of white European ancestry.
But, if there is a direct link, this could be used to identify men who are at a particularly high risk, leading to targeted interventions. And could also inform public health advice and clinical practice.
Michelle Mitchell, Cancer Research UK’s chief executive, said: “Further research is still needed, but large studies like this could shift our fundamental understanding of skin cancer and help identify people who are at increased risk.
“In the meantime, with lockdown rules starting to lift and the promise of more time outside with friends and family, we should all continue to stay safe in the sun especially if you burn easily. Spending time in the shade, covering up with clothing, and using plenty of sunscreen all help to protect our skin. It’s still very important that anyone who has noticed any unusual change on their skin, gets in touch with their GP. And if it’s tricky getting an appointment, do keep trying.”
