The results of this study of white male healthcare professionals found a surprising result.

As expected those with a history of keratinocytic cancer (basal cell or squamous cell cancer) had a greater risk of developing melanoma. However the statistical analysis of those patients who had died from melanoma vs those who had melanoma but had survived suggested that having had a prior keratinocytic skin cancer gave some protection from the subsequent melanoma being fatal. The reasoning for this is unclear and may be a statistical anomaly. However it should lead to further research to confirm these findings and see if they apply to other patient groups as well. If there is a protective effect can we gain that benefit through medications or vaccines without having the keratinocytic cancer in the first place?

Article Citation

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Personal History of Keratinocyte Carcinoma Is Associated With Reduced Risk of Death From Invasive Melanoma in Men
J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Jan 06;[EPub Ahead of Print], F Song, ST Chen, X Li, J Han