Heredity of skin cancer - Cancer: Skin Message Board

Clair · 05-03-2002, 07:15 PM

Hello I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the heridity risk of skin cancer. My father in law fought it his entire life. My husband is now thirty five, and so far has no problem with it, but we are so afraid it is going to happen out of the blue. I personally am very scared, though he has learned to live with the fact that he may have a short life. This is bewildering to me. I think about it everyday. Can anyone give me any insight into this issue? Thank you.

all things · 06-25-2002, 07:48 PM

This is almost 2 months old, but I'll give it a try. My father has had skin cancers liberally peppered all over his body since his 20's; however they have been squamous and basal, not melanoma. He's 72 and very active. I'm 51 and have not been bothered yet, though I am at risk, being fair skinned with a history of several severe sunburns as a child and teen.There is nothing to worry about, if your husband is diligent about checking suspicious lesions. BTW, no one knows where my father got his tendency for so many skin cancers, not genetically anyway. He worked in the sun alot, is all I can think of. The latitude makes a difference, i.e. nearer the equator gives a higher risk. I am an indoor type person (love the A/C), so it's not hard for me to stay out of the sun. But then again, you need your Vit.D

all things · 06-25-2002, 07:49 PM

This is almost 2 months old, but I'll give it a try. My father has had skin cancers liberally peppered all over his body since his 20's; however they have been squamous and basal, not melanoma. He's 72 and very active. I'm 51 and have not been bothered yet, though I am at risk, being fair skinned with a history of several severe sunburns as a child and teen.There is nothing to worry about, if your husband is diligent about checking suspicious lesions. BTW, no one knows where my father got his tendency for so many skin cancers, not genetically anyway. He worked in the sun alot, is all I can think of. The latitude makes a difference, i.e. nearer the equator gives a higher risk. I am an indoor type person (love the A/C), so it's not hard for me to stay out of the sun. But then again, you need your Vit.D