familial melanoma
Family is the place to share and share alike during the ups and downs of life. However, there is one part of being a family that often isn’t shared or talked about much and that is the health-related vulnerabilities we have in common. Certain types of cancers can have hereditary components, and melanoma skin cancer is one of them.
Melanoma is the most serious kind of skin cancer because it can spread, or metastasize, to different parts of the body. It starts when skin cells called melanocytes grow uncontrollably. These cells are responsible for the pigmentation of skin, making it tan or brown.[i] If a family has 2 or more first-degree relatives with melanoma, it is called familial malignant melanoma.[ii] Parents, siblings, and children are first-degree relatives. Approximately 8% of people newly diagnosed with melanoma have a parent, sibling, or child that also has this type of cancer. Unfortunately, the average age of a person diagnosed with familial melanoma is in the 30s. In the general population, the average age is in the 50s.[iii]
Familial malignant melanoma is quite a mouthful and can be a scary subject to explore, but take a deep breath. It is worth exploring whether someone in your family has been diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer because knowledge brings a sense of order and calm to an unpredictable situation. It can help other loved ones become proactive in taking care of their skin and doing the right screening to catch melanoma if they have a suspicious spot. It can also help the whole family take preventative, protective lifestyle measures to reduce the risk of melanoma. Be gentle on yourself and each other as you navigate this journey.
It’s helpful to understand genetics since familial melanoma is an inherited condition. Cells normally have 2 copies of each gene; one from the mother and one from the father. In familial melanoma, only one copy of a gene has a mutation. [iv]According to the National Cancer Institute, a mutation is “Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment.”[v] That is the scientific definition, but in simple terms, a mutation means the gene has been altered.
Scientists have identified two genes that are linked to melanoma: CDK4 and CDKN2A. If a parent has the mutation of either of these genes, the child has a 50% chance of inheriting it and thus an increased risk of getting melanoma.[vi] Since familial melanoma is inherited, it is good to understand the risk and discuss it with family members. Melanoma is very treatable when caught early.[vii]
Screening options are an excellent step to take for anyone who has a parent, sibling, or child with melanoma. If you yourself have had melanoma, you should have skin exams every 3 to 6 months with a dermatologist or other qualified medical professional. In families with familial melanoma, children should start having their skin screened at age 10. All family members should check their own skin regularly for any changes and protect themselves from sun exposure.[viii]
Your skin will be carefully examined during an appointment. A dermatologist may use a hand-held device called a dermatoscope to look closely at moles. This instrument magnifies 10 x and illuminates the skin in a way that minimizes light reflection, which helps the doctor identify problems more clearly.[ix] He or she may also take photographs of moles, which is called mole mapping, in order to document any changes.[x]
Your doctor will be a great source of information. Bringing a list of questions to an appointment will help him or her answer your concerns efficiently.
- Do I have an increased risk of melanoma because of my family history?
- What measures should we take to reduce our risk of melanoma?
- Would a cancer risk assessment or genetic testing be an option to consider?
With good advice and care, your family can make the best decisions about familial malignant melanoma. Open conversation is a great place to start; after all, our families are our greatest support in hard times. This is especially true with a shared health challenge such as melanoma skin cancer. With honest, compassionate dialogue and excellent help from your medical team, you and your family can be in the best possible place to effectively deal with this challenge.
To learn more about melanoma clinical trials, visit BMSStudyConnect.com. The site provides patients and caregivers with information about how clinical trials work and how they might be part of making sure new medicines are effective and safe.
[i] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20374884, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/if-you-have-melanoma.html
[ii] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
[iii] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
[iv] [iv] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
[v] https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/mutation
[vi] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
[vii] https://www.skincancer.org/blog/dangerous-melanoma-matter-timing/
[viii] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma
[ix] https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.7556/jaoa.2019.067/html
[x] https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/familial-malignant-melanoma