Melanoma

• Fact: Even people who wear sunscreen and protective clothing can still develop the disease.
• Proportion of risk that’s in your genes: 21 percent
• What you can do: Take the Navigenics genetic test to determine whether you are at above-average genetic risk of melanoma. Doctors recommend regular screening for skin cancer in anyone over the age of 40 and anyone with an increased risk of melanoma.
• Did you know? More than 95 percent of people with melanoma survive beyond five years if their skin cancer is detected early.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It develops in the cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Exposure to sunlight and tanning beds is most often implicated as the culprit. However, melanomas can pop up on parts of the body that never see the sun.

Melanoma is on the rise, with more than 60,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States every year. Although it accounts for just 4 percent of all skin cancers, melanoma is responsible for 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. That’s because it is more likely than other skin cancers to spread throughout the body.

This health condition occurs in people of all ethnicities and is a problem throughout the world. Scientists have already identified a number of genetic mutations involved. Our gene test looks for genetic variants associated with an increased risk of melanoma. These variants have also been linked to red hair, sun-sensitive skin, and freckles.

Knowing from genetic testing that you are at increased risk can give you additional motivation to take steps to prevent melanoma. Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day can help, as can wearing protective clothing and shunning the sun during peak daylight hours.

Getting your skin checked regularly is especially important. If you visit your doctor as soon as you notice any unusual moles or skin changes, you can improve the odds that you will catch melanoma early – while it’s still treatable.