4 Steps to Take If Skin Cancer Runs in Your Family

We can inherit many things from our parents, from hair and eye color to more concerning issues like susceptibility to a medical condition, such as skin cancer. Fortunately, there are proactive ways to protect your health.

At his private practice in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Trevan Fischer diagnoses and treats skin and other types of cancer using his extensive experience in complex general surgical oncology.

Additionally, he serves as a clinical trial researcher at the Saint John's Cancer Institute, where he stays abreast of the most up-to-date research and techniques to ensure his patients receive the most advanced standard of care.

Genetic risk and skin cancer

Exposure to UV radiation from the sun or tanning beds accounts for about nine out of ten cases of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Even when more than one person in a family receives a diagnosis, it is often because they all spend frequent time outdoors.

However, melanoma may be traceable to genetics in about 10% of people. Depending on which gene or genes are mutated, the risk of developing it can range from 60 to 90%, often occurring at an earlier age.

Ways to be proactive

There are steps to take to help protect against melanoma. They include:

Avoid UV radiation

UV radiation damages the skin and increases the risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer. Five or more blistering sunburns in mid-to-late teens can raise the odds of melanoma by 80%, while the risk increases by 75% when tanning beds are used before age 35.

Regardless of their genetic risk, everyone should use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more, which includes protection from UVA and UVB rays. Wearing a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses and staying in the shade, especially during the late morning to early afternoon hours when the sun is strongest, can also help. Never use a tanning bed.

Conduct skin checks

Examine your skin regularly. If you see any new bumps, lumps, lesions, or moles or note any changes to existing blemishes, get them checked out by our team.

Visit our office once a year — or more often if recommended — for a professional skin exam.

Know your family history

Talk to family members to find out if anyone has had melanoma or another type of skin cancer. It is important to determine the number of relatives as well as how closely they are related to you. Having a first-degree relative like a parent or sibling diagnosed with melanoma increases your risk by 50%.

Consider getting tested

Genetic testing can be conducted to determine if a person has any genetic mutations that could increase their risk of melanoma. We use certain criteria to assess who makes a good candidate, and they can discuss the possible risks, benefits, and downsides of getting tested.

While having relatives with skin cancer can be scary, you can take control by protecting yourself by booking an appointment at our office. Click to book an appointment with Dr. Fischer or call the office today at 310-807-2688.