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Risk Factors For Skin Cancer - Your Family History

Skin cancer is one of the more common forms of cancer that people can get. It is generally treatable too, if caught early enough. This means that it is important to inspect your skin and get annual skin cancer screening sessions from your health care professional. Of course a better way to deal with skin cancer is to prevent it ever happening to you. A good way to do this is to understand the risk factors for skin cancer and modifying your exposure to things that will cause the disease. This article will cover how a family history of skin cancer is a important risk factor for skin cancer and how it should influence how you care for your skin.

To put this in context, risk factors will not conclusively prove that you will get skin cancer however they can give you some pointers on how to treat your skin for instance or how much time you should spend in the sun. They can show you what may happen if you neglect your skin for a long time.

Having said this, just because you may not have a family history of skin cancer does not mean that you can have carte blanche with your skin care. Everyone must be vigilant when it comes to skin cancer. It is one of the most common forms of cancer and is increasing at a faster rate than many other types. Annual screenings are a good idea for everyone and are an important tool in skin cancer prevention. Checking your skin for new moles or blemishes is also an important diagnostic tool.

Cancer is no different to many diseases in that the genes of a person can predispose them to it. A family history of skin cancer will increase the chances of getting the disease. It is thought that there is a one in ten chance of getting a melanoma (the worst form of skin cancer) if one of your family have already had it. And the odds increase the closer in the family that person is to you. Thus if your mother or father had a melanoma then the chances increase by 50% that you may get a melanoma. Thus if your health care provider becomes aware of this situation they will advise you to take extra preventative steps against skin cancer and be more diligent in monitoring any marks on your skin. They will also suggest a regular screening session.

Familial Atypical Multiple Mole Melanoma Syndrome (FAMMM) is another condition that health professionals take notice of in family members. People with this syndrome typical have dark brown to black moles on their body. Although they are not cancerous they may change their size, shape and color and this could be a precursor that they will become malignant.

This means that you are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer if any of your family have these types of moles on their skin. You may even have moles on your skin too or notice that they are appearing more as you get older. If this is the case your doctor will ask you to watch the moles carefully for any changes. They will also advise that you get screened for any skin blemishes or marks by a professional at least once a year.

Apart from a family history of skin cancer there are other factors that predispose you to skin cancer. These include fair skin or skin with plenty of freckles. People that spend too much time in the sun are also at risk. People that use sun beds too much are also at risk. Becoming aware of the factors that increase your risk of getting skin cancer is the first step towards preventing the disease.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

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