Redheads are at risk!

 

If you or someone you love is a redhead - beware of the sun.

 

Not only do redheads tend to have fair skin, experts say they may be as much as 100 times more susceptible to a deadly form of skin cancer. The elevated risk for redheads is due to a gene mutation which leaves DNA in skin cells more prone to sun damage. The gene is called MC1R-RHC, the RHC stands for red hair color, and those who have it lack a protective organism that most people have. The good news is that progress is being made treating melanoma in those with this particular gene mutation - but redheads should continue to take extra precaution in the sun.