Driving Seems to Cause More Left-Sided Skin Cancer: Study
Today is the first day of summer. Sounds like a nice day to go cruising in your car, windows down, music pumping, breeze blowing. Right? Well, maybe not. According to researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, cases of malignant melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, potentially deadly types of skin cancer, occur more frequently on the left side of the body. The reason? Driving your car.
The American Cancer Society estimated that approximately 68000 Americans were diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2009. While only responsible for about 5% of skin cancer cases, it is 3 times more deadly than non-melanoma skin cancers (e.g., basal cell carcinoma). Malignant melanoma is responsible for the third most number of deaths across all cancers. Prevalence of this type of cancer is higher in areas with greater exposure to ultraviolet light (southern U.S. and Hawaii) and occurs more frequently in individuals with light skinned pigmentation.
Merkel cell carcinoma is a less common type of skin cancer that tends to occur in the head and neck region. This type of cancer is 100 times rarer than malignant melanoma. However, epidemiological databases state that the incidence of this cancer has increased three-fold between 1986 and 2001. Individuals with Merkel cell carcinoma have a very poor prognosis. Most of these types of tumors tend to metastasize (spread to distant sites) which ultimately is fatal.
The researchers at the University of Washington examined cases of ultraviolet-linked skin cancers, with the intention of seeing whether there were statistical differences in the numbers of cases on the left versus the right side of the body. There were greater numbers of left-sided malignant melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma cases versus right sided. There were also statistically significant differences of facial and neck skin cancers on the left side versus the right side of the body. This lends credence to the notion that driving on the left side of a vehicle (as we do in North America) may be responsible for the excess numbers of cancers on the left side of the body. A 1986 study published in Australia showed that there were greater numbers of precancerous growths on the right arms of men versus the left; in Australia, people drive on the left side of the road, sitting on the right side of the car.
Cause Of Melanoma - News

According to researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, cases of malignant melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma, potentially deadly types of skin cancer, occur more frequently on the left side of the body. The reason? Driving your car.
Two years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed 20 international studies on tanning and related rates of melanoma, a nasty skin cancer. The IARC (an arm of the World Health Organization) found that people under 30 who use
Photo courtesy of Jean Schlipmann - The Schlip Golf Classic for Melanoma could raise $50000 for melanoma research and treatment. This year's tournament is scheduled for July 18 at the Prestonwood Country Club Hills Course in Plano.
This year, as Cavallaro steps off Sunday with thousands of other walkers, the cause is much more personal. Cavallaro and her brother Robert were both diagnosed with cancer in the past year. She will walk as much of the 6.2-mile route through Salem as
Two years ago, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed 20 international studies on tanning and related rates of melanoma, a nasty skin cancer. The IARC (an arm of the World Health Organization) found that people under 30 who use
What Is Malignant Melanoma? | Health
Cancer is thought to be caused by a combination of a persons genetic makeup and their exposure to some environmental condition. In the case of malignant melanoma, the environmental condition is too much exposure to the Sun. Specifically, ultraviolet radiation from the Sun (UVA and UVB radiation). Or exposure to other things that radiate ultraviolet radiation onto and into the skin (Sun beds for instance).
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Head and neck cancer, a multidisciplinary approach
NATURAL HISTORY Risk Factors The cause of melanoma is multifactorial. Interactions between genetic factors and environmental factors such as ultraviolet ...Essentials of general surgery
It represents only 5% of cutaneous neoplastic growth, but its malignant potential is more aptlv represented by the fact that melanoma causes 78% of deaths ...Protection of the skin against ultraviolet radiations
25-28 Does UVA exposure cause human malignant melanoma? Antony R. Young AR Young : UMDS, Department of Dermatology, Si Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. ...Holland Frei cancer medicine eight
Medications was reached in the Collaborative Ocular that have been shown to cause increased Melanoma Study (COMS).117 Since clini- growth of the tumors ...Expectations of life, a study in the demography, statistics, and history of world mortality
McGovern (1952, 1977) found that melanoma tended to be more frequent on the exposed areas of skin and suggested that insolation might be the cause. ...Complete Information Directory
What Causes Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that arises from melanocytes - the cells that produce pigment. Melanoma may begin in association with a mole.
Melanoma.com
The main cause of melanoma is too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation ... These artificial sources of UV light can damage skin cells and increase the risk of melanoma. ...
Melanoma: Causes - MayoClinic.com
Melanoma — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms and treatment of malignant melanoma skin cancer. Includes pictures.
The Cause Of Melanoma - It's Not Just About The Sun Anymore.
Nobody knows the true cause of melanoma, however, it is prudent to be aware of all causal effects to minimise the risk of developing this disease.
Cause of melanoma, Causes of skin melanoma, Melanoma causes
Get information on cause of melanoma, causes of skin melanoma, melanoma causes, causes of melanoma, melanoma skin cancer, melanoma skin cancer causes at Just Cancer.