A 27-year-old member asked:
Is skin cancer hereditary?
6 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mike Bowmananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Can be: There can be a family component to many cancers including skin cancers. This should not be taken lightly. Sun exposure is another large risk factor for skin cancer. The two together can be very dangerous. If you have a strong family history, lots of sun exposure, or any enlarging skin lesions, be evaluated by your local doctor and/or dermatologist.
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6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Otto Placikanswered
Surgery - Plastics 36 years experience
Yes: This is related to race as well as certain genetic conditions or predispositions.
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5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Travis Kidneranswered
Surgical Oncology 19 years experience
Yes: Having a family history of skin cancer does increase your chances of developing skin cancer.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A Verified Doctoranswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
Skin cancer: There is a higher incidence of skin cancer, esp melanoma , in patients who's 1 st degree relative has had a melanoma.
Also basal cell cancer can have hereditary component. A condition called Nevoid basal cell syndrome or Gorlin syndrome inherited condition involving skin, nervous system,eye,glands and bones.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
960 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Alexis Harveyanswered
Radiation Oncology 38 years experience
No: Skin cancer is not hereditary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Dr. Mike Bowmananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Yes, like many other: Diseases. Just because a family member has skin cancer, it does not doom you to the same fate. Using good skin care with sun block & protective clothing will go a long way to reducing skin care risk. Smoking is an independent risk factor for many cancers...Quit smoking now to reduce your risk.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
CA
A 36-year-old member asked:
Is skin cancer hereditary in any way?
3 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. David Voronanswered
Dermatology 53 years experience
See below: The three common types of skin cancer - basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma, all have a hereditary component.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Is skin cancer a hereditary disease?
4 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mike Bowmananswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 21 years experience
Yes and No: There can be a family component, which should not be taken lightly. However, sun exposure is another large risk factor for skin cancer. The two together can be dangerous. If you have a strong family history, lots of sun exposure, or any enlarging skin lesions, be evaluated by your local doctor and/or dermatologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 16, 2021
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