The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Is it FAMMM?

Forums General Melanoma Community Is it FAMMM?

  • Post
    fabiopinto_
    Participant

    Hello guys.

     

    I'm worried about something: I have an aunt who's had melanoma. She has quite a number of moles on her body. So does my father and grandmother (between 50 and 100), but none of them had the disease.

    Although, my sibling and I have very few moles on our bodies, so I'd like to know if any of us should worry about FAMMM, CDKN2A mutation or pancreatic cancer risk.

    Thank you!

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      Janner
      Participant

      I'd say no.  I have the mutation and in order to even be in the clinical study I was in, you had to have 3 people in 3 generations with melanoma.  One aunt wouldn't begin to qualify you for that study or indicate you are remotely at risk for that defect.  The defect doesn't skip generations and typically you see a very strong family history.

      Janner
      Participant

      I'd say no.  I have the mutation and in order to even be in the clinical study I was in, you had to have 3 people in 3 generations with melanoma.  One aunt wouldn't begin to qualify you for that study or indicate you are remotely at risk for that defect.  The defect doesn't skip generations and typically you see a very strong family history.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Even if my dad and grandmother (past generation) have those moles too? I'm mostly concerned about that CDKN2A gene or pancreatic cancer.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Even if my dad and grandmother (past generation) have those moles too? I'm mostly concerned about that CDKN2A gene or pancreatic cancer.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        PS.: none of the 2 of my grandmother's siblings have had melanoam or anything.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        PS.: none of the 2 of my grandmother's siblings have had melanoam or anything.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        PS.: none of the 2 of my grandmother's siblings have had melanoam or anything.

        Janner
        Participant

        It doesn't matter what moles they have or had – lots or little, not an issue.  They have to be DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA.  Having moles isn't the criteria.  Melanoma isn't just sitting around, if a mole changes into melanoma, it is going to continue to grow and spread.  Static moles aren't a problem.  Having melanoma in EVERY generation multiple times is.  And yes, I am talking about CDKN2A.  As I said, I have this genetic defect.  If you can't come up with 3 family members with melanoma, or if you haven't had multiple melanoma primaries, or you do not have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, you do not have CDKN2A.  You don't have even the most basic criteria for this defect.  It only occurs in a very small melanoma population and having one aunt does not put you at high risk. Without a strong family history of melanoma (or pancreatic cancer), this isn't something you should be worried about. 

        Janner
        Participant

        It doesn't matter what moles they have or had – lots or little, not an issue.  They have to be DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA.  Having moles isn't the criteria.  Melanoma isn't just sitting around, if a mole changes into melanoma, it is going to continue to grow and spread.  Static moles aren't a problem.  Having melanoma in EVERY generation multiple times is.  And yes, I am talking about CDKN2A.  As I said, I have this genetic defect.  If you can't come up with 3 family members with melanoma, or if you haven't had multiple melanoma primaries, or you do not have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, you do not have CDKN2A.  You don't have even the most basic criteria for this defect.  It only occurs in a very small melanoma population and having one aunt does not put you at high risk. Without a strong family history of melanoma (or pancreatic cancer), this isn't something you should be worried about. 

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Thank you for the answer ๐Ÿ™‚ But most websites said 50+ moles and a family history were enough criteria for the familial annomaly (it's also said the chances may be around 30% instead of higher), I'm confused as hell. What if another person may be eventually getting melanoma? Don't want my family to be at risk for this.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Thank you for the answer ๐Ÿ™‚ But most websites said 50+ moles and a family history were enough criteria for the familial annomaly (it's also said the chances may be around 30% instead of higher), I'm confused as hell. What if another person may be eventually getting melanoma? Don't want my family to be at risk for this.

        Janner
        Participant

        Most people with dysplastic Nevus syndrome have hundreds of very atypical looking moles.  Not 50, not 100, MANY more moles.  Families who have this defect KNOW about the defect because melanoma is VERY prevalent in their family.  This is not your family.  If you choose to think you have this, nothing I can say will obviously change that.  Go spend the money to get tested and speak with a genetic counselor about your situation.

        Janner
        Participant

        Most people with dysplastic Nevus syndrome have hundreds of very atypical looking moles.  Not 50, not 100, MANY more moles.  Families who have this defect KNOW about the defect because melanoma is VERY prevalent in their family.  This is not your family.  If you choose to think you have this, nothing I can say will obviously change that.  Go spend the money to get tested and speak with a genetic counselor about your situation.

        Janner
        Participant

        Most people with dysplastic Nevus syndrome have hundreds of very atypical looking moles.  Not 50, not 100, MANY more moles.  Families who have this defect KNOW about the defect because melanoma is VERY prevalent in their family.  This is not your family.  If you choose to think you have this, nothing I can say will obviously change that.  Go spend the money to get tested and speak with a genetic counselor about your situation.

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Ok, but are there any other characteristics that can be associated with CDKN2A?

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Ok, but are there any other characteristics that can be associated with CDKN2A?

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Ok, but are there any other characteristics that can be associated with CDKN2A?

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Thank you for the answer ๐Ÿ™‚ But most websites said 50+ moles and a family history were enough criteria for the familial annomaly (it's also said the chances may be around 30% instead of higher), I'm confused as hell. What if another person may be eventually getting melanoma? Don't want my family to be at risk for this.

        Janner
        Participant

        It doesn't matter what moles they have or had – lots or little, not an issue.  They have to be DIAGNOSED WITH MELANOMA.  Having moles isn't the criteria.  Melanoma isn't just sitting around, if a mole changes into melanoma, it is going to continue to grow and spread.  Static moles aren't a problem.  Having melanoma in EVERY generation multiple times is.  And yes, I am talking about CDKN2A.  As I said, I have this genetic defect.  If you can't come up with 3 family members with melanoma, or if you haven't had multiple melanoma primaries, or you do not have a strong family history of pancreatic cancer, you do not have CDKN2A.  You don't have even the most basic criteria for this defect.  It only occurs in a very small melanoma population and having one aunt does not put you at high risk. Without a strong family history of melanoma (or pancreatic cancer), this isn't something you should be worried about. 

        fabiopinto_
        Participant

        Even if my dad and grandmother (past generation) have those moles too? I'm mostly concerned about that CDKN2A gene or pancreatic cancer.

      Janner
      Participant

      I'd say no.  I have the mutation and in order to even be in the clinical study I was in, you had to have 3 people in 3 generations with melanoma.  One aunt wouldn't begin to qualify you for that study or indicate you are remotely at risk for that defect.  The defect doesn't skip generations and typically you see a very strong family history.

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide byย MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics