Researchers discover why redheads are more prone to melanoma

(Boston University School of Medicine) Red-haired people are known for pale skin, freckles, poor tanning ability and unfortunately, an increased risk for developing skin cancer. Research has shown that they have variants in Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R), a protein crucial for pigmentation in humans, but how this translates to increased risk for cancer and whether that risk can be reversed has remained an active area of investigation -- until now.
Source: EurekAlert! - Cancer - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: news