You could take then to a geneticist and get them tested for the genes - and see if they are at risk and if so, how much.
Sun precautions should be taken no matter what these days...
Perhaps it would be wise to take them for yearly check ups to a dermatologist? They would want to know about the family history for sure.
Thank you so much. You information has been very helpful.
My ex-husband has the Brain Tumor but we have two children. concerned for their future health.
I found this:
"What role do genes play in melanoma?
Cancer begins when one or more genes in a cell are mutated (changed), creating an abnormal protein or no protein at all. The information provided by an abnormal protein is different from that of a normal protein, which can cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and become cancerous.
A person may either be born with a genetic mutation in all of their cells (germline mutation) or acquire a genetic mutation in a single cell during his or her lifetime. An acquired mutation is passed on to all cells that develop from that single cell (called a somatic mutation). Most melanomas (about 90%) are considered sporadic, meaning that the damage to the genes occurs by chance after a person is born. An increased risk of melanoma occurs when specific gene mutations are passed within a family from generation to generation. Keep in mind that melanoma itself is not inherited, it is an increase in risk of developing melanoma that is inherited. Many people who have an increased risk of melanoma never develop the disease. Although 10% of melanoma is familial (runs in the family), known genetic variations only account for 1% of all melanoma diagnoses."
"Melanoma-astrocytoma syndrome. People with this rare condition have an increased risk of melanoma and astrocytoma (a type of brain tumor). The specific gene for this condition is thought to be located on chromosome 9. Families with both melanoma and brain tumors have been shown to have alterations in CDKN2A that affect the p14ARF protein."
You can get the genetic testing for this if you are worried. But I believe the risk is small and that what I read, environmental factors are key to the mutation.
Malignant melanoma is a deadly kind of skin cancer which can spread to organs, including the brain and I saw on line malignant melanoma is hereditary 5-10 percent of the time. Do you have a loved one with this?