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Study Links Hair Graying to Increased Melanoma Risk

10/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Tokyo Medical and Dental University study, led by Dr. Emi K. Nishimura, links hair graying to melanoma.
Pigment-producing stem cells in hair follicles respond to stress in ways that can cause gray hair or trigger cancer.
If pigment-producing hair-follicle stem cells die, the body eliminates damaged cells, and if they survive, they may accumulate genetic damage and become cancerous.

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Story summary

The Tokyo Medical and Dental University study, led by Dr. Emi K. Nishimura, links hair graying to melanoma.
Pigment-producing stem cells in hair follicles respond to stress in ways that can cause gray hair or trigger cancer.
If pigment-producing hair-follicle stem cells die, the body eliminates damaged cells, and if they survive, they may accumulate genetic damage and become cancerous.