title: Population-based assessment of non-melanoma cancer risk in relatives of cutaneous melanoma probands.
abstract: Using the unique Utah Population Database, which links Utah genealogical data with Utah cancer data, we examined risks for other cancers among relatives of 4,079 melanoma cases. Age- and sex-specific rates for 35 different cancer sites were calculated, and used to estimate relative risks among relatives. In addition to the well-recognized risk for melanoma among first-degree relatives, we found significantly increased risks for prostate, breast, and colon cancers, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, ranging from 32 to 72% increased risk. Among second-degree relatives, in addition to increased risk for melanoma, we identified significantly increased risks for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma (27 and 53% increase, respectively). Among first-degree relatives of melanoma cases diagnosed before the age of 40 years, we found significantly elevated risks for cutaneous melanoma (380% increase) and prostate cancer (83% increase). Significantly increased risks for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma in both first- and second-degree relatives of melanoma cases are suggestive of heritable cancer syndromes. The increased risks for five additional cancer types in first-degree relatives of melanoma cases suggest that individuals with a family history of melanoma should strictly adhere to recommended screenings for all cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA.
authors.forename: April A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Larson
authors.forename: Sancy A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Leachman
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Eliason
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cannon-Albright
mesh_terms: D019942:Genes, p16; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D012306:Risk; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*