A patient’s skin shows actinic lentigines. Which is not a risk factor for melanoma in this individual?

Actinic lentigines, also known as solar lentigines or age spots, are typically associated with sun exposure and are common in individuals with significant sun exposure over time. When discussing risk factors for melanoma, several aspects play a critical role.

While family history of melanoma, light skin type, and heavy sun exposure are all established risk factors for developing melanoma, age is generally not considered an independent risk factor in the way the others are. While older age may correlate with a higher cumulative sun exposure, the presence of actinic lentigines indicates previous sun damage rather than simply age itself being a discriminatory factor.

The other risk factors contribute directly to the likelihood of melanoma due to their association with the skin's response to UV light and genetic predisposition. In the case of actinic lentigines, it is the previous heavy sun exposure that plays a more significant role in risk assessment rather than age alone being a determining factor. Hence, identifying that age does not independently qualify as a risk factor provides a clearer understanding of melanoma risks.