Scientists from the University of Queensland have made a surprising discovery that could change how we detect and prevent skin cancer.
They found that a common genetic mutation linked to melanoma—a dangerous type of skin cancer—can exist in healthy-looking skin.
This means people may carry the early signs of cancer in their skin even if it appears completely normal.
The mutation occurs in a gene called BRAF, which has long been known to play a role in the development of melanoma and in many moles.
It was previously believed that this mutation only appeared in visible moles or cancerous skin. But new research led by Ph.D. student Katie Lee from the UQ Frazer Institute challenges that idea.
Her team found the BRAF mutation in many samples of healthy skin. This included skin right next to both moles and melanoma, as well as skin from parts of the body exposed to sunlight and parts that were not.
This finding is important because it shows the mutation can be present without causing any visible changes to the skin.
Katie Lee explained that about half of all melanomas and nearly all moles have the BRAF mutation in pigment-producing skin cells known as melanocytes. These cells are responsible for giving color to our skin.
What’s surprising is that the researchers found this mutation even in normal-looking skin that seemed healthy to both the eye and under a microscope.
To carry out the study, the researchers examined 97 skin samples taken from people in Australia who are considered at high risk for melanoma. Most of the samples came from the back and shoulders—areas where skin cancer often develops. The study was published in the British Journal of Dermatology.
Dr. Mitchell Stark, a researcher involved in the study, said the mutated cells they found appear to be “dormant,” meaning they are not yet turning into cancer.
However, certain environmental triggers could potentially cause these cells to become harmful and form tumors. For example, too much sun exposure or other changes in the body might “wake up” these quiet cells.
This discovery could lead to better ways of identifying people at risk of developing melanoma. Dr. Stark suggested that doctors might one day use genetic screening to look for this mutation in different parts of a person’s skin.
That way, they could monitor specific areas more closely instead of checking the whole body. It could also help with early treatment—catching problem spots before they turn into cancer.
Interestingly, the researchers noticed that many people in the study had most of their melanomas removed from the same area of their back. This might be because certain areas of skin are more likely to carry these hidden mutations.
The best way to treat melanoma is to catch it early and remove it through surgery. This research gives doctors a new tool to improve how they find and prevent this serious disease.
The study was done in collaboration with Dr. Robert L. Judson-Torres from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at The University of Utah.
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The study is published in British Journal of Dermatology.
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