Skin cancer was once considered a disease that affected mainly adults as a result of years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. In recent years, however, doctors began seeing skin cancer in children as well. Since children have not had the years of sun exposure believed to be needed for cancer development, scientists began to look for another reason. Research found that a defective gene may be to blame.
When the enzymes responsible for repairing DNA damage, called nucleotide excision repair enzymes, are mutated, it can lead to mutations in other cells, altering the genes in them. If one of these genes is a type that suppresses cancer, it may actually reverse its actions and begin inducing tumors. Continue reading ‘Skin Cancer in Children – Why Sunburn May Not Be the Culprit’ »