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4th family member diagnosed
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4th family member diagnosed

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 4th family member diagnosed

  • Post
    • February 15, 2016 at 10:58 pm
    EJJ
    Participant
      Myself, my mother, my mother’s father and now my mother’s youngest brother have all been dx with melanoma.
      We do not yet know his staging as he is set for surgery tomorrow for his SLND and WLE.
      I worry most for my boys as melanoma is on both sides of our family. My husbands uncle lost his battle just short of 5 years.
    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 17, 2016 at 4:03 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Sorry to hear this.  It sucks when melanoma is prevalent in a family.  Obviously, you could have genetic testing done but it really matters little in the whole scheme of things.  Whether or not there is a defect, you know your family is at high risk for the future.  But knowing that allows you to be proactive and hopefully catch anything early!  BTW, your family line could be genetic, but just having one person on your husband's side probably isn't genetic and really wouldn't factor into your kids risk.  They consider only about 10% of melanomas to have some genetic defect and the rest are sporadic – no defect starting the process.  Just get those kids used to regular derm visits for life and hopefully, there won't be an issue!!!

          Best wishes to ALL of your family!

            • February 19, 2016 at 1:37 pm
            EJJ
            Participant
              Thanks for your reply and info. We did meet with a specialist at mayo to talk about the genetic side of everything opted not to have our genes tested that was in 2011. As for my boys I just do what I can do. Reg derm visits and protect them from the sun.
              Take care
              • February 19, 2016 at 1:37 pm
              EJJ
              Participant
                Thanks for your reply and info. We did meet with a specialist at mayo to talk about the genetic side of everything opted not to have our genes tested that was in 2011. As for my boys I just do what I can do. Reg derm visits and protect them from the sun.
                Take care
                • February 19, 2016 at 1:37 pm
                EJJ
                Participant
                  Thanks for your reply and info. We did meet with a specialist at mayo to talk about the genetic side of everything opted not to have our genes tested that was in 2011. As for my boys I just do what I can do. Reg derm visits and protect them from the sun.
                  Take care
                • February 17, 2016 at 4:03 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  Sorry to hear this.  It sucks when melanoma is prevalent in a family.  Obviously, you could have genetic testing done but it really matters little in the whole scheme of things.  Whether or not there is a defect, you know your family is at high risk for the future.  But knowing that allows you to be proactive and hopefully catch anything early!  BTW, your family line could be genetic, but just having one person on your husband's side probably isn't genetic and really wouldn't factor into your kids risk.  They consider only about 10% of melanomas to have some genetic defect and the rest are sporadic – no defect starting the process.  Just get those kids used to regular derm visits for life and hopefully, there won't be an issue!!!

                  Best wishes to ALL of your family!

                  • February 17, 2016 at 4:03 pm
                  Janner
                  Participant

                    Sorry to hear this.  It sucks when melanoma is prevalent in a family.  Obviously, you could have genetic testing done but it really matters little in the whole scheme of things.  Whether or not there is a defect, you know your family is at high risk for the future.  But knowing that allows you to be proactive and hopefully catch anything early!  BTW, your family line could be genetic, but just having one person on your husband's side probably isn't genetic and really wouldn't factor into your kids risk.  They consider only about 10% of melanomas to have some genetic defect and the rest are sporadic – no defect starting the process.  Just get those kids used to regular derm visits for life and hopefully, there won't be an issue!!!

                    Best wishes to ALL of your family!

                    • February 20, 2016 at 3:15 am
                    Kenny
                    Participant

                      Hi EJJ,

                      I understand your concern about your boys!  My father-in-law was the first to be diagnosed with Melanoma in our family.  I was diagnosed with melanoma 5 months after him.  He lost his fight in just under a year.  I am at stage 3a now for just under 2 years.  We have 3 adult kids, the 2 oldest have had A typical moles removed and the youngest is having a spot removed from his back next month. I fear for them greatly.

                      Take care, Ken 

                      • February 20, 2016 at 3:15 am
                      Kenny
                      Participant

                        Hi EJJ,

                        I understand your concern about your boys!  My father-in-law was the first to be diagnosed with Melanoma in our family.  I was diagnosed with melanoma 5 months after him.  He lost his fight in just under a year.  I am at stage 3a now for just under 2 years.  We have 3 adult kids, the 2 oldest have had A typical moles removed and the youngest is having a spot removed from his back next month. I fear for them greatly.

                        Take care, Ken 

                        • February 20, 2016 at 3:15 am
                        Kenny
                        Participant

                          Hi EJJ,

                          I understand your concern about your boys!  My father-in-law was the first to be diagnosed with Melanoma in our family.  I was diagnosed with melanoma 5 months after him.  He lost his fight in just under a year.  I am at stage 3a now for just under 2 years.  We have 3 adult kids, the 2 oldest have had A typical moles removed and the youngest is having a spot removed from his back next month. I fear for them greatly.

                          Take care, Ken 

                      Viewing 5 reply threads
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