Nutrition and melanoma prevention

Clin Dermatol. 2010 Nov-Dec;28(6):644-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2010.03.026.

Abstract

Melanoma has continued to rise in incidence despite public efforts to promote sun protection behaviors. Because sunscreen use does not completely prevent skin cancer induced by ultraviolet radiation, additional chemopreventive methods for protecting against and reversing the effects of ultraviolet photodamage need evaluation. Recent years have brought increased interest in dietary factors, such as natural botanicals and vitamins, for the prevention of melanoma. This contribution provides a narrative review of the relevant, nutrition-related literature found by searching the keywords "melanoma chemoprevention," "nutrition and melanoma," "dietary botanicals and melanoma prevention," "green tea and melanoma," "vitamin D and melanoma," and "vitamin E and melanoma" in the PubMed database. Although randomized controlled trials of humans are lacking, basic science and epidemiologic studies show promising benefits of many natural products in chemoprevention for melanoma. Future studies, hopefully, will yield concrete answers and clarify the role of commonly available dietary nutrients in melanoma chemoprevention.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / therapeutic use*
  • Diet Surveys
  • Diet* / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Flavonoids
  • Grape Seed Extract
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Melanoma / epidemiology
  • Melanoma / prevention & control*
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk
  • Selenium
  • Skin Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Tea
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use
  • Vitamin E / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Flavonoids
  • Grape Seed Extract
  • Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins
  • Phenols
  • Polyphenols
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • Tea
  • Vitamins
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin E
  • Selenium