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Prospective parents often ask, “Is skin cancer hereditary?” The answer is that while most skin cancers result from environmental factors like UV exposure, certain genetic factors can run in families. Inherited mutations can significantly increase the risk of specific skin cancers, especially melanoma. Understanding these hereditary risks is crucial for family planning – particularly for those considering in vitro fertilization (IVF) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to give their child the healthiest start.

Genetic Factors in Skin Cancer Risk

Only a small percentage of skin cancers are due to inherited genes. Research shows roughly 5–10% of cancers in adults have an underlying hereditary predisposition (How Genetics Impact Cancer Diagnoses). Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, is one type that can be hereditary. If multiple relatives have had melanoma or unusual moles, a familial genetic factor may be involved. It’s important to remember that even if a parent carries a high-risk gene, it does not guarantee their child will develop cancer – it only raises the likelihood. Most skin cancers still occur sporadically due to UV light and other environmental influences (How Genetics Impact Cancer Diagnoses), but knowing about a hereditary risk can empower proactive monitoring and prevention.

Inherited Skin Cancer Genes (Melanoma)

Scientists have identified several genes linked to hereditary melanoma risk. For example, mutations in the CDKN2A gene are a common cause of familial melanoma (How Genetics Impact Cancer Diagnoses). Changes in this gene (or in another gene like CDK4) can give someone a much higher lifetime chance of developing melanoma than the general population. Another gene, BAP1, is known for a hereditary cancer syndrome that includes increased melanoma risk. If a parent carries one of these pathogenic variants, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting that high-risk gene (How can Orchid tell me about an embryo’s future risk for cancer?). This means skin cancer risk can be passed down through generations. Prospective parents with a personal or family history of melanoma may wish to undergo genetic counseling and testing to see if one of these mutations is present. Understanding your family’s genetic makeup is the first step in managing hereditary skin cancer risk. Discussing these concerns with clinicians and genetic counselors can often identify families at risk and allow further testing.