Determining the Secondary Role of UV Light in Swimmers' Melanoma Genesis

    January 2022 in “ Book Publisher International (a part of SCIENCEDOMAIN International) ”
    Abrahám A. Embí
    TLDR Hydrogen peroxide is the main risk factor for melanoma in swimmers, not UV light.
    This study explores the higher incidence of cutaneous melanoma in swimmers compared to non-swimmers, suggesting that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) plays a primary role in melanoma genesis, with UV light being secondary. H2O2, produced by keratinocytes, can diffuse into melanocytes and potentially contribute to melanoma development. It can enter hair follicles through the hair shaft/skin junction or damaged follicular walls when submerged in water. The decomposition of H2O2 by catalase may lead to the formation of melanoma tumor cells, which then spread to surrounding tissues. The study highlights the importance of H2O2 as a key factor in the causation of cutaneous melanoma in swimmers.
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