A Family History Of Skin Cancer Is A Risk Factor For Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer that people can get. It is generally treatable too, if caught early enough. This means that it is important to inspect your skin and get annual skin cancer screening sessions from your health care professional. Of course a better way to deal with skin cancer is to prevent it ever happening to you. A good way to do this is to understand the risk factors for skin cancer and modifying your exposure to things that will cause the disease. This article will cover how a family history of skin cancer is a important risk factor for skin cancer and how it should influence how you care for your skin.
Of course risk factors do not definitively prove that you will get skin cancer but they can forewarn you of what may happen if you do not look after your skin. If you fall into any of the categories that suggest you are more susceptible to the disease then you can be extra vigilant.
Even so, if you are fortunate enough not to have a family history of skin cancer then don’t think that you can treat your skin poorly and dismiss skin cancer. It is one of the most common cancers in the world today and is increasing at a rapid rate. Everybody should be alert when it comes to skin cancer. General advice is to have an annual screening for any moles or marks on the skin. Better still you should examine your body regularly and see your doctor if you find new moles or existing ones changing shape or color.
A family history of skin cancer will increase the chances of a person getting the disease. Statistics suggest that the chances are one to ten that you will get skin cancer if a relative has had it previously. This number increases the closer the family member is to you. A first degree relative like your mother or father will increase the odds by 50% that you will get skin cancer. Thus if your doctor is aware of your family history they can be more strict on advising you to get regular screenings and to take active precautions in the sun and other circumstances where you may get the disease.
Another hereditary link that health care professionals look out for is referred to as the Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome (FAMMM). Some skin types will have numerous moles on them. They may be irregular in size and shape. They may vary in color from black to brown to lighter shades. These skin types are more susceptible to developing skin cancer.
Therefore if your relatives have this type of skin then you are at greater risk to developing skin cancer too. You may even have the same noticeable moles on your skin too. If this is so, your health care professional will ensure that you inspect your body more often for new moles or changes to the current moles. They will also advise that you get screened annually by a professional.
Having fair skin or skin with lots of freckles is also a risk factor to getting skin cancer. Spending too much time in the sun or on a sun bed are activities that can put you at risk. These factors and a family history of skin cancer can increase your chances of getting the disease. If you are aware of this information then you are better prepared to prevent the disease from affecting you.