Can skin cancer be inherited?

With the improvement of people's living standards and various changes in environmental factors, more and more patients are suffering from skin cancer. Dermatologists tell us that skin cancer is a cancer disease caused by gene mutation, so suffering from skin cancer is related to personal genes and constitution. It is still unclear whether skin cancer is hereditary, so it is better for everyone to do a good job in preventing skin cancer.

The cause of this disease is not yet fully understood, but the common causes are:

① Daily exposure to the sun and ultraviolet radiation: There is sufficient evidence to support that ultraviolet radiation, the protection of human melanin and the interaction of the immune system function lead to the occurrence of skin cancer. When measuring human skin in sunlight, the parts of the skin that receive the most ultraviolet rays are the head, face, back of the neck, and hands, and squamous cell carcinoma almost all occur in these parts. The carcinogenic mechanism of ultraviolet rays may be that the photochemical effect changes the structure of cell DNA, while destroying the active antigen structure on the surface of lymphocytes, reducing the body's immune function, and leading to the occurrence of skin cancer with the joint participation of other cancer-promoting factors.

② Chemical carcinogens: About 100 years after Percivall first described the report of chimney sweeps being prone to scrotal skin cancer, people discovered that workers who are frequently exposed to arsenic, tar, and asphalt are prone to skin cancer. Chemical carcinogenesis can be divided into two periods, the initial period and the promotion period. The initial period to the induced results are closely related to the exposure limit of the specific substance or carcinogen, and its progress is irreversible, and cell changes are related to genetics. The promotion period requires repeated exposure to the contact material, which is related to the interval time. If there is no exposure for a long time, it can still be reversed and no cancer will occur. The interval time between the initial period and the promotion period is very important, and there can be two results, namely the formation or non-formation of skin cancer.

③ Ionizing radiation: In the past, skin cancer was caused by radiation workers who neglected protective measures, which led to radiation-induced dry skin. In recent years, due to the improvement of radiation equipment and radiation technology, especially the strengthening of various protective measures, occupational skin cancer has basically disappeared. However, some patients who have received radiotherapy may still develop skin cancer in the radiation field after several years.

④ Chronic irritation and inflammation: Malignant skin tumors can occur and develop in scars, chronic ulcers, fistulas, and sinus tracts. Some Asian people are addicted to chewing tobacco or betel nuts, so squamous cell carcinoma is prone to occur in the mouth or lips.

⑤ Others: In the immunosuppression stage, the patient's immune system is underactive and skin cancer may occur. The use of immunosuppressants can promote the occurrence of skin cancer. Viral carcinogens: Many viruses can cause cancer in animal hosts, and many subtypes of human papillomaviruses can induce skin cancer in humans.

Whether skin cancer is hereditary has not yet been scientifically confirmed, so everyone should take more preventive measures in life. Only in this way can you prevent yourself from getting skin cancer and protect your body from harm.