Skin Cancer May Be More Deadly During Pregnancy

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A new study suggested that skin cancer or melanoma may be deadlier when diagnosed while pregnant.

The study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, found out that pregnant women with skin cancer are at higher risk of dying due to the said disease compared to women with melanoma who are not pregnant.

U.S.News  reported that the study examined almost 500 women diagnosed with melanoma between 1998 and 2012. The women were 49-years old and younger. The researchers followed their health for more than two years and arrived at some conclusion.

LiveScience reported that pregnant women with melanoma or were recently pregnant were nearly seven times more likely to experience metastasis - the spreading of cancer to other parts of the body. Moreover, they are more than nine times more likely to suffer from cancer recurrence over the next 7.5 years.

"The rate of metastasis (cancer spread), recurrence and death in our findings were astounding -- as the rates were measurably higher in women who were diagnosed with melanoma while pregnant, or within one year after delivery," said lead researcher Dr. Brian Gastman, a plastic surgeon and director of melanoma surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, in a press release.

The researchers suggested that there is a possibility that the pregnancy hormones fueled the most deadly type of skin cancer. The immune system weakens when a woman is pregnant to prevent the body from rejecting the fetus.

The researchers noted that a previous research reported that the rate of melanoma is rising among women ages 20 to 40.

This new study is a reminder for women with higher risk of skin cancer to be more vigilant. Those who are at higher risk include women with a high number of moles, a history of heavy exposure to the sun or family history of skin cancer.

Gastman advised women to examine their skin for any changes and to visit a dermatologist. If a woman has a high risk of skin cancer and she gets pregnant the best thing is to see a dermatologist.

"This study demonstrated that women who are diagnosed with melanoma during pregnancy or in the post-gestation period have higher risk melanomas," said Dr. Jeffrey Farma, who is a co-director of the cutaneous oncology and melanoma program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Reuters shared that the medical professional was not involved in the study.

Parents are advised to limit their children's exposure to any sources of ultra violet (UV) radiation by equipping their little ones with sunblock or protective clothing. They are also encouraging parents to educate their children, especially teen girls because skin cancer is more prevalent among young women than men.