Those that have been diagnosed with melanoma, did you have a relative with it? - Cancer: Skin Message Board

irisrose · 04-28-2005, 05:35 PM

Just curious. The reason I am so vigilant with my moles and removing them is because my sister was diagnosed with Stage I Melanoma. She's fine and it's been more than 5yrs since it was found. Doing a lot of reading makes it sound like 1 in 10 melanomas found are in people who have a relative with the disease. So, if you don't me asking, do those of you with it have a relative with it?

Thanks.

esstwobee · 04-28-2005, 10:41 PM

No, I am the first in my family, though my Mom has had some basel cell tumors removed.

smithn · 05-01-2005, 07:31 AM

Have any suspicious mole removed. If you have a HX of Melanoma in your family, you are at risk for it.

BonBe · 05-01-2005, 10:08 AM

No one in my immediate family. But I did have a severe couple of burns as a wee child. But never hung out in the sun.

Dx MM sept 2004
WLE
Stage 2B
Clarks 3
declined adjuvant therapy (for now)
CT scans, and appt with oncologists every 3 months for 2 years and then every six months for 3 years then every year for ever.

Be vigilant, and treat suspicious moles aggressivley.

txlady3k · 05-01-2005, 03:42 PM

No one in my family has ever had any type of cancer, other than my dad who had Agent Orange related Lymphoma. From everything I've read though if you do have a family member who has had Melanoma, you are at an increased risk so please keep an eye on any mole you have. I know I have become a bit as my children say "over protective" of them, but I never want them to go thru what I've gone thru these past couple of months. And the sooner it's caught the better off you are.