Virginia Research Day 2025

Medical Student Research Clinical

22 A Retrospective Study on the Combined Effects of Smoking and Arsenic Poisoning on the Incidence of Melanoma

Leona Jafari 1 ; Atiya Qillawala 1 ; Ashley Abramson 1 ; Ashley Nguyen 1 ; Zaineb Saeed 1 ; Ramzi Badra 1 ; Stephanie Hemenway 2 ; Ramu Anandakrishnan 1 ; James Mahaney 1 Corresponding author: ljafari@vcom.edu

1 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine 2 LewisGale XXX Dermatology

Melanoma, a malignancy of skin melanocytes, ranks among the most prevalent cancers in the United States, with an estimated lifetime risk affecting 1 in 5 individuals. The development of melanoma is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with ultraviolet radiation widely recognized as a primary risk factor. However, other environmental exposures, such as arsenic and tobacco smoke, may also contribute to melanoma risk, though these associations are not yet fully understood. Arsenic, a naturally occurring element often found in contaminated drinking water, is known

to cause chronic toxicity, leading to skin lesions and various forms of skin cancer. However, the specific link between chronic arsenic exposure and melanoma remains unclear. Similarly, while tobacco smoke is associated with skin conditions such as poor wound healing, psoriasis, and an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, its relationship with cutaneous melanoma is inconsistently reported across studies. This study seeks to clarify the potential correlation between melanoma and exposure to cigarette smoking and chronic arsenic toxicity. Using data from All

of Us, a secure national database containing the health records of over a million participants, we conducted a retrospective analysis. A chi-square test was performed to assess the association between melanoma incidence and exposure to either cigarette smoking or arsenic toxicity within the selected patient population. Findings from this study may enhance our understanding of environmental risk factors in melanoma and contribute to improved preventive strategies for at-risk populations.

IRB approval pending

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