Which of the following is considered a risk factor for the development of malignant melanoma?

The correct answer is the inability to tan, as this trait is associated with lower levels of melanin production in the skin, which provides some degree of protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Individuals with lighter skin, particularly those who cannot tan, tend to have a higher risk of developing malignant melanoma. The inability to tan often correlates with fairer skin types (such as Fitzpatrick skin types I and II), which are more susceptible to sunburn and therefore to the deleterious effects of UV exposure that can lead to melanoma.

In contrast, having male gender is a recognized risk factor, but it is not as direct as the inability to tan in terms of biological predisposition to UV damage. Japanese ethnicity traditionally has a lower incidence of melanoma compared to populations with predominantly Caucasian backgrounds, and brown-haired individuals do not specifically correlate with an increased risk of melanoma. These attributes are not significant indicators when evaluating one’s risk factors for developing malignant melanoma.