Exposure to sun a factor?

I would like to know if the melanoma case closest to all of you reading the malanoma message board seems to think  that over exposure to the sun is to largely blame for the melanoma.  Granted we all have cancer cells. I know people with melanoma that have protected themselves from the sun their entire life and still have melanoma.  Any thoughts on this? 

Hi sunnydae........The latest research concludes exactly the opposite to overexposure to the sun causing melanoma. The majority of North Americans tested showed extremely low levels of vitamin D3 (the sunshine vitamin.) I live in Canada and on my doctors recommendation take up to 5,000IU of vitamin D3 daily depending on the amound of natural sunshine I receive. Here are just a few links that I'm sure you will find enlightening. If you do a Google search on the subject of Vitamin D deficiency/cancer you'll find a great deal of information.................. http://products.mercola.com/vitamin-d3-book/ .............http://blog.drgina.com/2008/11/21/vitamin-d-therapy-halts-ca ............http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ .............Hope you find this helpful....Sheila ______________________________________________________________

On 9/11/2009 sunnydae wrote:

I would like to know if the melanoma case closest to all of you reading the malanoma message board seems to think  that over exposure to the sun is to largely blame for the melanoma.  Granted we all have cancer cells. I know people with melanoma that have protected themselves from the sun their entire life and still have melanoma.  Any thoughts on this? 

It just increases the odds.  It can happen where the sun don't shine too.  Like the fold of your butt cheeks, in the vagina, anywhere there is melanin.  The sun isn't the only thing that can cause mutation.  Beyond that I don't have much else.

hello,

i noticed what appeared to be a smudge under my breast - i showed it to my dermatologist - who removed it and sent it for biopsy - the results were pre-melanoma.  i had to have a clear margin removed.  never has that area been exposed to the sun.  so, most definitely - direct sun exposure not required.

I have had 3 melanomas (diagnosed in different years)---I have olive skin and dark eyes (Italian) and my doctors say mine is genetic (23-year old sister had it).  I think that doctors and the media misguide people when they say it's always sun-related.  It is NOT always sun-related.  Some melanoma orginates inside the body!