CLEVELAND — As many consider spending time outdoors this holiday weekend, they’re sure to pack their sunscreen in their beach bag, taking in the advice of dermatologists everywhere.

What You Need To Know

  • A recent study led—in part—by a Cleveland Clinic doctor found that “genetics play a larger role in melanoma risk than (previously) recognized,” according to a press release

  • In the Cleveland Clinic release, it was noted that previous studies only showed that about 2% of melanoma cases were genetic

  • The new study, led by Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Joshua Arbesman and Stanford Medicine's Dr. Pauline Funchain, found that “up to 15% (1 in 7) of patients who received melanoma diagnoses from Cleveland Clinic physicians between 2017 and 2020 carried mutations in cancer susceptibility genes"

  • The researchers are continuing to study these genes

While sunscreen is still a good idea for everyone, a recent study led—in part—by a Cleveland Clinic doctor found that “genetics play a larger role in melanoma risk than (previously) recognized,” according to a press release, meaning some may be at a higher risk than others.

In the Cleveland Clinic release, it was noted that previous studies only showed that about 2% of melanoma cases were genetic.

The new study, led by Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Joshua Arbesman and Stanford Medicine's Dr. Pauline Funchain, found that “up to 15% (1 in 7) of patients who received melanoma diagnoses from Cleveland Clinic physicians between 2017 and 2020 carried mutations in cancer susceptibility genes.”

Researchers found similar results when looking at international databases.

"Hereditary cancers can wreak havoc through families and leave devastation in their wake,” Arbesman said in the release. “Genetic testing lets us proactively identify, screen and even treat these families to equip them with the tools they need to get the best healthcare possible. I would recommend physicians and insurance companies expand their criteria when it comes to offering genetic testing to individuals with family histories of melanoma, because inherited predisposition to it isn't nearly as rare as we think it is."

Part of the significance of this research comes down to genetic testing. The release notes that often this type of testing is not on offer for those cancers whose percentages of genetic cases are below 5%.

The researchers are continuing to study these genes. According to the release, they are looking at whether those with these “inherited mutations” could result in more benefits via immunotherapy.

"Not all of my patients had inherited mutations that made them more susceptible to the sun," Arbesman said in the release. "There's clearly something more going on here and more research is needed." 

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