If my great grandfather died of melonoma, what is the chances that i will get it!
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Melanoma does not tend to run in families unless you have something called dysplastic familial multiple mole syndrome. that's when you have many large moles all over your body. In people with numerous moles there is a slightly higher incidence and you should have your skin checked once a year by your doc or dermatologist.
Now, whether or not anyone in your family had melanoma matters FAR LESS than whether you tan at a tanning salon. UV exposure is the number one risk factor for melanoma. If you have numerous large moles AND you tan I would strongly urge you to get your skin checked out and have it followed.
If any of your moles changes shape, size, color, if it bleeds or itches or becomes raised you should have it looked at immediately- those are all signs of possible cancer.
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I have no stats. to offer but I do know your chance is greatly increased.
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My sister has it and doctors have told me to be extra careful.
Epidemiologic studies from Australia suggest that exposure to ultraviolet radiation is one of the major contributors to the development of melanoma. Few dermatologists question the association between sunlight and melanoma. It is widely believed that occasional extreme sun exposure (resulting in "sunburn") is causally related to melanoma. Those with more chronic long term exposure (outdoor workers) may develop protective mechanisms. Melanoma is most common on the back in men and on legs in women (areas of intermittent sun exposure) and is more common in indoor workers than outdoor workers (in a British study). Other factors are mutations in or total loss of tumor suppressor genes. Use of sunbeds (with deeply penetrating UVA rays) has been linked to the development of skin cancers, including melanoma.
Possible significant elements in determining risk include the intensity and duration of sun exposure, the age at which sun exposure occurs, and the degree of skin pigmentation.
Exposure during childhood is a more important risk factor than exposure in adulthood. This is seen in migration studies in Australia where people tend to retain the risk profile of their country of birth if they migrate to Australia as an adult.
Fair and red-headed people are at greater risk for developing melanoma. A person with multiple atypical nevi or dysplastic nevi are at a significant risk. Although constant exposure to sun can cause melanoma, it is a larger risk factor for other less serious skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Individuals with blistering or peeling sunburns (especially in the first twenty years of life) have a significantly greater risk for melanoma.
A family history of melanoma greatly increases a person's risk. It is critical that individuals with family members who have been diagnosed with melanoma be checked regularly for skin cancer.
Source(s):
http://www.wikipedia.com
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