“Is skin cancer hereditary?”
My mother and grandmother both suffered from skin cancer. Is it a hereditary disease? Are there chances that I am likely to suffer from the same disease too?
7 Answers
It can be. Your family history increases your risk for skin cancer.
No, but caucasions are predisposed over other races.
I am a radiologist and not a dermatologist. It would be better to consult with a dermatologist regarding this, but my understanding is that some people are more prone to getting skin cancer then others. However, it has been shown that the use of tanning beds or continued direct sun exposure can increase your risk. Short answer is unless you have a genetic cause in your family, your risk is the same as the general population which does not mean you will definitely get skin cancer.
Dr Cox
Dr Cox
While I am not an oncologist, I am a Diagnostic Radiologist, I can answer that both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can be associated with genetic/hereditary factors in addition to environmental factors (such as sun exposure).
no
The short answer to this question is yes. People can carry genetic traits which make them more susceptible to skin cancers and other cancers as well. You can be tested for these genetic variants, but it is quite costly and may not be paid for by insurance. You will need to check with your doctor and your insurance company to see if this could be performed on you.
There are different types of skin cancer. Family history can play some role in your risk of getting skin cancer but the greater factor that creates risk is sun exposure for all types of skin cancer. The other factor that increases risk for skin cancer is having other types of cancers. If you have one type of cancer, your body has had some trigger that responds with over growth of abnormal cells. No one can calculate exactly what your individual risk of getting cancer may be based on your family history, personal history of other cancer or sun exposure.
What we can do is identify the factors, exposures and behaviors that generally increase risk for anyone. Whatever your family history is, you can’t change it or do anything about it, so worrying about it is useless. You can’t change past exposures to toxins, radiation, or the sun.
What you should focus on is changing the things that are within your control. For example, you can choose to reduce the amount of sun exposure by covering up and using sun blocks. You can choose to get skin cancer exams if you are concerned about a lesion. You can choose to eat things that improve your health.
Be wise, be safe, worry less, and make good choices.
What we can do is identify the factors, exposures and behaviors that generally increase risk for anyone. Whatever your family history is, you can’t change it or do anything about it, so worrying about it is useless. You can’t change past exposures to toxins, radiation, or the sun.
What you should focus on is changing the things that are within your control. For example, you can choose to reduce the amount of sun exposure by covering up and using sun blocks. You can choose to get skin cancer exams if you are concerned about a lesion. You can choose to eat things that improve your health.
Be wise, be safe, worry less, and make good choices.
