Scientists have found a new link, which could lead to further discoveries
Scientists have found a link between obesity and the most deadly form of skin cancer.
The gene, associated with overeating and obesity also increases the risk of malignant melanoma; which suggests that those who are obese have an increased risk of developing skin cancer.
The finding came from a new study conducted by Cancer Research UK experts at the University of Leeds.
Until now experts thought that skin cancer was primarily caused by intense sunbathing or frequent use of the sun beds.
The study looked at the DNA od 73,000 patients including 13,000 with skin cancer.
Those with a particular variation of the FTO gene were far more likely to develop the illness.
Study author, Dr Mark Iles, explains: “This is the first time to our knowledge that this major obesity gene, already linked to multiple illnesses has been linked to melanoma.
“This raises the question whether future research will reveal that the gen has a role in even more diseases?
“When scientists have tried to understand how the FTO gene behaves, so far they’ve only examined its role in metabolism and appetite.
“But now it’s clear we don’t know enough about what this intriguing gene does.”
Malignant melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK with around 12,800 new cases and around 2,200 deaths each year.
Dr Julie Sharp, Cancer Research UK's senior science information manager, said: "These are fascinating early findings that, if confirmed in further research, could potentially provide new targets for the development of drugs to treat melanoma.
"Advances in understanding more about the molecules driving skin cancer have already enabled us to develop important new skin cancer drugs that will make a real difference for patients."
She added the best way to prevent melanoma was to avoid damage caused by too much sun exposure and sunbeds.
"Getting a painful sunburn just once every two years can triple the risk of melanoma."
Tagged in Health Obesity Skin Cancer