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Archive for August, 2009

INDICATOR OF EYE-CANCER RISK MAY BE SKIN DEEP, Jean Keamy, Community Advocate, June 4, 2009

Friday, August 7th, 2009

INDICATOR OF EYE-CANCER RISK MAY BE SKIN DEEP

     Most people are probably so unfamiliar with the topic of eye cancer that they are not even aware it exists, much less are aware of its symptoms and possible indicators. If so, many will be surprised to learn that researchers have recently uncovered a link between moles and freckles on the skin and uveal melanoma (cancer of the eye’s iris, ciliary body, or choroid). The common denominator is the melanocytes that are located in the uvea (the pigmented middle layer of the eye) and also are responsible for skin color. According to researchers, people with atypical moles were found to have nearly three times the risk of having melanoma of the  eye as those without the moles.

    

P.S. The incidence of uveal melanoma is quite rare (approximately 4.3 cases per million of population) and usually affects older individuals.