A gene known to have a strong connection to obesity and other weight-related health issues has been shown to also increase the risk of melanoma.
Genetic variation in the FTO gene, which is carried by 15% of the population, increases melanoma risk by 16%, according to the new study of data from 6,000 Australians combined with 62,000 people from Europe and the United States.
It has been known for some time that FTO had an influence on body weight, but this is the first time the FTO gene has been linked to something other than body mass index.
In the last five years, researchers have found that at least 15 genes contribute to the risk of getting melanoma.
Read more at University of Sydney