Skin Cancer Blog and News | National Skin Cancer Centres

How does my family's skin cancer history affect me?

Written by National Skin Cancer Centres | Mar 18, 2022 4:00:00 AM

"A family history of skin cancer can be very important" in identifying your own risk of developing the potentially life-threatening disease, according to Doctor Terry Harvey.

In this short video, Dr Harvey explains how a family history of skin cancer affects your chances of developing the disease and, conversely, how your own diagnosis might influence your family's risk too!

Watch the full video now:

 

But did you know that some melanoma diagnoses in the family are more significant than others? Dr Harvey explains how your family member's age at diagnosis plays a part in the genetic risk they pass to you.

Learn more about inherited melanoma risk.

"With a family history [of skin cancer], it's worthwhile to come in and have that conversation, because that's one of the things we look out for," says Dr Harvey.