Do hereditary factors affect skin cancer risk?

Skin cancer appears to have a hereditary component. The prototype syndrome of genetically determined increased skin cancer risk is xeroderma pigmentosum (XP). XP patients suffer from an autosomal recessive defect in DNA repair that results in sun sensitivity and early onset of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Although much of the molecular genetics of XP is understood, further study is necessary to better understand the genetics of other types of skin cancer-prone families. However, a useful recommendation is to have all first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, and children) of a skin cancer patient examined for skin cancer and taught sun-protection measures.