Cancer is one of the most common health problems threatening. One cause is genetic factors or breeds. Yes, when there is one of the family members affected by cancer, you may be at risk for developing cancer. However, whether this also applies to the skin cancer melanoma? The following explanation.
A glimpse of skin cancer melanoma
Cancer occurs when normal cells in the body develop abnormal and uncontrolled. Well, it can also occur in skin cells.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that arises when cells melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) grow in abnormal become cancerous. It is characterized by the appearance of moles cancer traits of unexpectedly, usually colored Brown or darker than the surrounding skin tone.
Although quite rare, skin cancer melanoma can spread more quickly and cause serious problems in other organs. Good on women or men, melanoma most often appear in the neck, face, chest, back, even in the parts of the eye (ocular melanoma).
The main cause of the rise of melanoma is excessive exposure to sunlight on the skin. However, it is also determined by the type of the skin of any person. Risk factors for skin cancer melanoma will be increased in people who are fair skinned and has the original light-colored hair. This is why, more skin cancer found in offspring of whites (ras kaukasian).
So, does melanoma skin cancer can be derived in the family?
Offered from Very well, experts still continue to investigate the influence of events from family gene melanoma. So far, they reveal that genetic factors accounted for only one percent of all cases of melanoma.
There are three genes that are known to have an affinity with the skin cancer melanoma, among them the following:
- CDKN2A: Gene CDKN2A is the most common cause of hereditary melanoma skin cancers in the family. This gene cause familial atypical mole syndrome-melanoma (FAM-M) or cancer melanoma derivative. However, not all cases of melanoma are caused by mutations of the gene CDKN2A.
- MC1R: Numerous studies have proven that the gene MC1R (melanocortin-1 receptor) can increase the risk of melanoma. This is the gene that causes a person has red hair, brightly colored skin, and the skin is sensitive to ultraviolet light radiation (UV).
- MDM2: MDM2 Gene function to determine how much cell division due to cancer. MDM2 Gene mutations more found in people with skin cancer melanoma women age 50 years and under. In fact, this one gene mutation has a greater likelihood for developing melanoma than sun exposure.
Thus, it can be concluded that melanoma can be caused by hereditary factors that have genes cause melanoma. This certainly cannot be prevented by any means, except with the treatment as soon as possible.
Should genetic tests to find out the melanoma cancer risk?
After learning one of the family members affected by melanoma, you certainly do not want to be exposed to the same diseases and instantly search for prevention efforts. For starters, you might wonder whether you need a genetic test or not.
Genetic tests serve to find out how big change genes in the body that can increase the risk of certain diseases, including melanoma. A genetic test for melanoma is highly recommended when you:
- Have three or more cancer melanoma that grow on the surface of the skin
- Have a lot of suspicious moles; the shape is irregular, dark brown or black
- Have two or more family members who suffered from melanoma or pancreatic cancer
Genetic test results positive melanoma can help doctors monitor the development of skin cancer in your body. High-risk patients affected by melanoma naturally need more skin examination to ensure the diagnosis.
However, when the test results are negative, you are then able to feel free from melanoma. To reduce the risk of skin cancer melanoma, protect your skin from excessive sun exposure and skin health screening done at regular intervals.