Quick Takeaway: Studies suggest high blood levels of 25-OH vitamin D may prevent melanoma [1] and appropriate D levels may affect the prognosis in both primary [2] and metastatic melanomas [3]. Keep your levels in blood between 50–80 ng/dL. Additionally, melatonin and its metabolites protect the skin from sun and help guard the DNA there when faced with the mixture of cancer-inducing ultraviolet rays and oxidation.
A Personal Melanoma Story
The Day It Hit Home
Like so many, I figured it was never going to happen to me. Until the day that one of our doctors turned to me in a meeting and said: “I really don’t like the looks of that mole, and I think you should see someone.”
That was the day something finally hit home, and I realised I was a perfect candidate for skin cancer.
The Odds Were Always Against Me
I have green eyes and fair skin. I grew up in Southern California and rarely wore sunscreen. I have burned and peeled more times than I can count. Although my skin does eventually tan, I also have moles and freckles all over. In other words, I have Skin Type II and I am a perfect case.
And you would think I would know better. My parents are both in the medical industry, so I cannot say I was ever uninformed about the risks of sun exposure. I work at ZRT and talk to healthcare providers on a daily basis. I even had friends who had dealt with skin cancer and mentioned that I should have the large, uneven mole on my right temple checked out. I did not pay attention to any of that until the day I got the call from the dermatologist who told me: “You have melanoma. But you’re in luck, because you have the good bad kind.”
The Good Bad Kind of Skin Cancer
The good bad kind of skin cancer turned out to be a melanoma in situ, which means my melanoma was just starting and was still confined to the epidermis. As one of the doctors who looked at my mole said: “It’s not on the highway yet. It’s still in the garage.” Meaning that my treatment was going to be simple — a quick surgery to remove the mole, plus a fair margin around it for safety’s sake.
I elected not to go with the Mohs surgery that was recommended by the dermatologist, and instead had my surgery with a melanoma specialist at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. His philosophy was to biopsy all around the site first to set a clear margin, and then go in and take it all out at once. Cancer does not like to be provoked — and taking the safest route possible made sense.
A Proactive Follow-Up Plan
Melatonin and its metabolites protect the skin from sun rays and help guard the DNA there from neoplastic tendencies when faced with the mixture of cancer-inducing ultraviolet rays and oxidation.
Two years later, I now follow the advice I should have been following all along — wearing sunscreen all year round, covering up with sun-protective clothing, and getting skin checks every three months. (Six months after my surgery, another pre-cancerous mole was detected between my toes.)
I also now follow the advice of our naturopathic doctors who tipped me off to several cancer-protective measures that the dermatologists did not mention.
Vitamin D: Keep Your Levels Optimal
Keep your levels in blood between 50–80 ng/dL by eating D-rich foods like mushrooms, salmon and eggs, and by supplementing with Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) if your levels are low. Studies suggest high blood levels of 25-OH vitamin D may prevent melanoma [1] and, on the other side of diagnosis, appropriate D levels may affect the prognosis in both primary [2] and metastatic melanomas [3].
Our Vitamin D 25-OH Total Blood Spot Test is an easy and effective way to check your vitamin D levels from home — measuring both D2 and D3 with a simple finger-prick collection.
Melatonin: Your Skin’s Built-In Protector
This hormone we associate mostly with sleep is made all over the body — and the largest organ synthesising melatonin is the skin itself. Melatonin and its metabolites protect the skin from sun rays and help guard the DNA there from neoplastic tendencies when faced with the mixture of cancer-inducing ultraviolet rays and oxidation. A recent study demonstrated that topical melatonin 12.5% applied to the skin before sun exposure protected against sunburn [4]. What an important little molecule.
To assess both your melatonin and cortisol rhythms together, our Sleep Balance Profile Test measures melatonin (as its urinary metabolite MT6s) alongside cortisol — giving you a complete picture of your diurnal hormone balance.
Diurnal Rhythms: Check Your Cortisol and Melatonin Patterns
Studies show that diurnal dysrhythmias are associated with many cancers, including skin cancer [5, 6]. Checking your diurnal cortisol rhythm (4-point saliva test) can reveal whether your stress hormone patterns are disrupting your body’s natural protective cycles — and give you and your practitioner a clear basis for intervention.
Becoming a Change Agent
The transition from being a Southern California sun worshipper took time, but I have embraced it. I have learned to love long sleeves and I now have a nice collection of hats. And I feel smarter knowing that I have something more than sunscreen working for me.
I also like reminding everyone to get their skin checked — especially if you have a history similar to mine. Early detection truly saves lives.
References
- Pandolfi F, et al. Immune Modulation by Vitamin D: Special Emphasis on Its Role in Prevention and Treatment of Cancer. Clin Ther. 2017.
- Lim A, et al. High serum vitamin D level correlates with better prognostic indicators in primary melanoma. Australas J Dermatol. 2017.
- Timerman D, et al. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a worse prognosis in metastatic melanoma. Oncotarget. 2017;8(4):6873–6882.
- Scheuer C, et al. Dose dependent sun protective effect of topical melatonin. J Dermatol Sci. 2016;84(2):178–185.
- Markova-Car EP, et al. Running for time: circadian rhythms and melanoma. Tumour Biol. 2014;35(9):8359–68.
- Gutierrez D, Arbesman J. Circadian Dysrhythmias, Physiological Aberrations, and the Link to Skin Cancer. Int J Mol Sci. 2016;17(5):621.
Originally by Lissa Gienty, ZRT Laboratory. Reproduced with permission. Last reviewed: May 2026.