Is Skin Cancer Statistically More Prevalent In Parkinson's Patients?
Everyone with PD should have a dermatologist on their health team.
I don't know what the parkinsons experts say, but my dermatologist said I was at increased risk of melanoma due to PD. When I asked why, he said they didn't really know. I have had several skin cancers removed, thankfully none melanoma. Perhaps some of our medications increase the risk. Blessings, jla
Yes my dermatologist and neurologist both said so
Melissa, This is a summary of what I found on the UCLA Health website. I hope it is helpful and informative.
Doctors have observed a link between Parkinson’s disease (a neurological disease affecting the nervous system) and melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Studies show that having either PD or melanoma more than doubles your risk of developing the other disease. Experts agree there is an increased risk but it doesn’t mean that every person with PD is going to get melanoma or vice versa.
Here’s what you need to know:
There is a molecular link between Parkinson’s disease and melanoma. New research identifies a protein, called alpha synuclein, as the common link between PD and melanoma. PD affects less than 1% of the general population and more than 1% of people age 60 and older. The lifetime risk of developing melanoma is less than 3% so the risk of developing both is very low and should be kept in perspective.
A growing number of studies show shared risk factors between PD and melanoma that include:
-Age: Risk of developing PD increases with age. Most people diagnosed with PD are age 60 or older. Half of melanomas occur in people older than age 50.
-Ethnicity & skin type: Both PD and melanoma are more common in white people than either Black or Asian people. Red hair has also been linked to an increased risk of both diseases.
-Family history: Having a close relative with either PD or melanoma increases your risk for developing that disease.
-Gender: Both men and women develop these diseases. But men are 1.5 times more likely than women to have PD and melanoma.
-Toxins: Long-term exposure to environmental toxins increases the chances of developing both melanoma and PD.
Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) if you are concerned about your risk factors for either of these diseases.
Preventing melanoma: Whether you have PD or not, you should be taking steps to prevent skin cancer such as wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen daily and staying in the shade. Make sure to get any new or changing spots on your skin evaluated.
Delaying the onset of Parkinson’s disease: There is not much you can do to keep PD from developing. But doctors can treat PD once it’s been diagnosed, The best prevention is physical activity. Research shows it may delay the onset of PD and positively affect disease progression.”
Maria
Not sure
In 3 Mos.my Husbands Neurologist Went From Saying He Was First Steps Of PD To Dementia. This Is In Form Of A Question?
Does Anyone Else Have A Problem With A Lot Of Skin Cancer. ?? I Have Read That PD Patients Are More Prone.
What Is Parkinson’s Plus?