A dermatology professor may have found a risk factor for melanoma that is higher than those previously reported for women younger than 50.

Dr David Polsky and his research team at NYU Langone Medical Center identified a gene, MDM2, that can lead to growth of cancer cells and whose function is increased when there is more estrogen.

Women under 50 with a variant of MDM2 had a 40 percent higher risk for melanoma, the team reported, independent of other factors, which was 3.89 times higher than the average woman.

Polsky is hopeful that the research will lead to a better answer to the question, if "we look at people’s sun exposure history, hormonal status and a panel of genetic markers in addition to MDM2 and ask, ‘Does this help identify more high-risk people?’"

Other risk factors identified in the study include freckling, sun burns and a family history of skin cancer.

A milkweed-based sunscreen may provide a natural alternative to other sun-protecting products, according to Agricultural Research Service chemist Rogers Harry-O’kuru.