UVA radiation may lead to DNA damage in human melanocyte cells, which can lead to developing melanoma, according to findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Melanocytes are skins cells containing compounds that darken the skin in order to protect against extreme light exposure. Previous studies have found that if these cells are exposed to too much UVA radiation, they can become damaged and unable to protect the skin.

During a trial conducted by researchers from the New York University Cancer Institute, investigators examined the effects of UVA radiation exposure to human melanocytes with light and dark pigmentation.

The researchers discovered that exposure to UVA radiation resulted in damage to DNA found in these cells, which were unable to repair themselves. However, other human cell samples that were exposed to the radiation had no DNA damage.

Moon-shong Tang, professor of environmental medicine the New York University Cancer Institute, stated that “for the first time, UVA rays have been shown to cause significant damage to the DNA of human melanocyte skin cells.” “Because melanocytes have a reduced capacity to repair DNA damage from UVA radiation, they mutate more frequently, potentially leading to the development of melanoma,” Tang added.

Last year, approximately 121,840 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with melanoma, according to the American Melanoma Foundation.